Salal Credit Union

The WORST bank! It is actually WORSE than Wells Fargo.
I recently purchased a condo, and initially my mortgage was with RPM. Before even my first payment, it was sold off to SALAL. And, my nightmare began.
This is my second condo. I paid off my first condo on Capitol Hill in 7 years. I work hard and pay all my bills on time.
As soon as I got the change notice, I tried to set up my log in and password with SALAL, but it would not let me for some reason.
#1 — The first phone call was to get more information in regards to account set-​up. I was told that i was NOT able to see mortgage payments online because I did not have any accounts with them — like saving and checking. I thought it was very odd, but she was not helpful and was very stern about it, so I hung up.
#2 — The second lady confirmed that the first person was plain crazy. She helped me set up my mortgage account. I noticed immediately their website was very rudimentary. No amortization schedule, payment set-​up, etc. It was very BASIC. When I asked how I could make my payment online — seriously who mails their check anymore? –, she said I should wire it from my personal bank.
I called BECU and set up a new bill payment plant. It was challenging because the second lady told me that I had to use a certain number when asked to specify my SALAL account number by BECU. Turned out she was wrong.
#3 How did I find out she was wrong? By making the third call and being on the phone for another 15 min.
Ok, the account was set up. I was ready to make my first payment, but something about SALAL based on all the weird interactions gave me a lot of doubt about adding a lot of extra $ to my first payment. My goal is to pay off my mortgage in seven years. But, I just was not sure if I should pay such a large amount right away without seeing the whole process unfolded first. My regular payment is $ 1330. I paid $ 1340 just to test out their system and website. First, it took forever to show the transaction. Normally, I see it within 24 hours, but with SALAL, it took — I AM NOT KIDDING — more than 4 days. NUTS.
When it finally showed my payment, it said I paid $ 1330. It also failed to show how much of the payment went towards the principal and interest. Is this even legal?
#4, 5, 6 Yes, I had to make 3 calls to make sure they received my payment. The sixth person whom I spoke with said I could NEVER see my extra payment online. The only way to see it is by asking a monthly statement. JESUS CHRIST. So I told them to mail me my financial information and kill also INNOCENT TREES every month. What year is this? 1998? Come on.
My first payment was due on June 1. But normally you have 15 days of grace period. They don’t charge you a late fee or interest until the 16^th of each month. Well, I paid my first payment before June. And, because of my goal, I wired another $ 1170 last week. Today is June 6.
I got a mysterious phone call from SALAL today. Apparently, there was a PROBLEM with my last mortgage payment and I was told to call him immediately. I freaked out and called this man.
#7 When I called, I was told that my payment was less than $ 1330. I said it was extra payment towards the principal. This guy knew I already made a full payment for June. And, he saw another payment from me. It is not even June 15. He automatically assumed the worst of me and presumed that I paid less than required for JULY. WHAT THE HELL.
This bank claims they are advocates for community and blah blah blah. BS. Their website is useless. I do not even know what they are doing is LEGAL.
THE WORST BANK, EVER. DO NOT GO THERE.
UPDATE #1: do you see the response from a BOT right below? Well, she is a bogus. NOBODY has called me yet. I had to make ANOTHER phone call to find out where the hell my money went. I still do not see my extra payment processed online. This bank is ridiculous.
UPDATE #2: Um, it has been more than a week. Nobody has called me. This bank is a joke.

Think again. Check alternatives.
My wife is a customer for 25+ years. I am maybe 15yrs now.
We applied ang got a Home Equity line of credit (heloc) there and have l multiple checking and savings accounts with ample cash balances at all times.
For a Heloc you pay for the appraisal. $ 250 or so.
When Salal approved it, they charged it against the heloc. That was not disclosed during the application. We had two money market accounts with lots of cash just sitting there. We thought they take it from there.
So they charged $ 250 against the Heloc. No biggie, I called them right away and paid it by transferring it from a money market account.
Months later. With the Heloc never used.
I find out that our credit scores are in the dumpster because Salal is reporting each of us 120 — 180 days delinquent on the heloc for:…
$ 1!!!
I called salal and the rep stated:
You don’t owe anything…
I see nothing overdue…
So we had the «pleasure» to dispute 6 credit reports on the three credit reporting agencies wasting several hours of hour time. One online dispute refused the online access and we had to order the paper report and wait another 2 weeks.
I went to the branch. They saw no deliquency. The heloc had never been used. No big surprise there.
Then the manager found an interest charge buried down in their obviously bad software. It was less then a $ 1!!! and only created because they charged the interest of the few days of the appraisal fee THEY charged to the heloc instead of taking it out from one of the accounts in the first place.
This interest due did not show at all on our online banking access… Their online software apparently is not so not so good there either.
So after 10 days or so after the visit we had clear credit again.
This after making us look like deadbeats for months to any soft pulls. Wasting lots of time.
As compensation for this waste of time, messing up our credit and besmirching our names, Salal thought a $ 25 Starbucks gift certificate was appropriate.
Currently looking for another place that wants our money.
On a side note the new branch layout is confusing as heck with counters spread out around the room and the first one in a spot where the concierge ought to be… But then it is not a restaurant… Maybe that is a future plan?
Anyway not what GHCU used to be in many regards.
Update:
Salal management reached out to us and apologized. Also refunded our initial appraisal cost in full.
That appears an equitable solution. Upgraded review from 1 to 3 stars.

After talking to a very helpful team member I was able to resolve my issue and now have auto-​pay set up. I am still frustrated with how much time it took for this issue to be resolved but I am satisfied with the end result.

I have been a customer for 5+ years. I have dealt with checking accounts and loans. They are friendly, approachable, and up front. I like the small credit union. I have made deposits through other credit unions when traveling. They are on the linked credit union account system — which is nice when something urgent comes up and I am out of town. I have dealt with many banks and am happy to call Salal home.

I gotta admit, my review may be clouded by a situation I am currently experiencing, but nothing shows the true nature of a thing like an emergency. I lost my card after hours on a weekend, a day before I’m supposed to go out of town. «No problem», I thought, «I’ll just call up card services after I set up a Google Wallet account, cancel and reorder a debit card, and all will be good.» Oh, if it were that easy. The «support» number they post on the website sent me to a call center rep, who could not answer a standard generic protocol question about linking an account number (I just wanted to know if I needed to add extra 0’s like you have to with Paypal)! Instead, she went into a script about shared branch ATMs. WTH? So a few more tries with the Google wallet site, and I get an error message that they can not contact my bank for immediate verification, and I would have to wait two days. At this point, I’m wondering if they’re in the 21^st century over there or still using abacuses. So I have no real way of accessing my cash until 9am Monday, and I need to leave Sunday. I left a message with the banking center, they’ll get back to me in 2 days. I tried to call the 800 number to report a lost card, I was on hold for 15 minutes. I’ve spent most of my Saturday trying to get this problem squared away, and they’ve got me running around in circles. Salal, you need a better automated process, and people in your «emergency support center» who can actually be helpful and provide information. It makes me nervous that I can’t get anyone to help me after hours. Plus you’ve just moved further away from me. I’m contemplating switching to BECU. I’ve heard good things about them.

Horrible experience. I went into this credit union just to buy two money orders at the suggestion of my credit Union Boeing. When I got there the teller said I needed to call Boeing and get my account number, then I had to answer a series of question even though I was paying cash.
Then I was told I had to sign something and when I questioned why I got an attitude from this teller. I was in a hurry but she decided to lecture me on how they do things there and told me if I didn’t like it I could go to BECU from now on.
Having no supervision and no respect for peoples time is one thing but to then get nasty adding to your wonderful experience by telling you if you don’t like it go somewhere else is beyond nasty.
Thanks Salal for helping me decide not to open my accounts here. All I can do is make sure others are aware and save themselves the time and aggravation they will experience walking into this credit unions doors. Hey I know… Just put «If you don’t like it go somewhere else» on a banner so people are at least informed.

I’ve been a credit union member since 2001 (Seattle Metropolitan), and the only reason I opened an account at Salal was because it was closer to where I lived, and I often used this location because I could for shared branch banking. It just seemed the right and neighborly thing to do.
When it was Group Health it was a pretty good place — good customer service and no frills at the same time.
When it became Salal it seemed to become more shark-​like. Little things, like charges for getting a roll of quarters, and tellers who seemed unhappy, printers that didn’t work with no one who seemed to know how to fix them («come back later»), the cash machine not working. For a few things, I tried to call the branch for more information and I was never able to reach a person. I left messages and no one called back. But the worst of it was, when I applied for a loan, I had to sit through lectures on capitalism from the banker. He also asked a lot of personal questions that seemed unrelated to the loan (which of course involves a lot of personal questions). It was a lot of energy to deflect them, and made me uneasy.
It all felt much less capitalistic before that encounter, and before it became Salal. I think they give credit unions a bad name.

This credit union needs to understand they are not the only financial institution in the area. In dealing with their customer service and management, they are condiscending and rude. I had a large loan that was paid off years ago and recently found that it was not reported to one of the credit bureu agencies. I asked to please have them help me get this matter resolved and the answer was, you will have to handle the matter yourself and so I did. Now I want close this account and to do so they want me to write a formal letter asking for this. They want the customer to do everything but they won’t lift a finger to help you and again they are RUDE. Folks do not put your hard earned cash in this institution, check out the good customer service at BECU.

I’ve been with Salal for about a year and a half have several a accounts and a car loan. Salal made it so easy for me to purchase a car I didn’t even have to come into the bank. They have improved the search abilities on line as they said they would when I opened my account. So far I am extremely pleased with my choice to change banks.

I banked with GHCU for 8 years and absolutely, totally loved them; excellent services, excellent people, a great experiences, every time. Not sure when or why the change happened but the friendly and helpful credit union vibe is gone, as is their supposed ethics and integrity. After having an issue in which everyone I dealt with reminded me of dealing with Chase, I chose to move my accounts to another credit union, and I am once again happy. Do not bank here.

Do not enter into any loan or borrowing agreements with the bank. I had the pleasure (not) of working with two loan officers who have since been fired — not due to me I might add, due to other mistakes. I was mislead, ill advised and basically screwed, and 2 years later my Mother and I are still intertwined in a loan that should never have been set up the way it was. Despite acknowledging this, this credit union is still unwillingly to do anything to help. I’ve dealt with the supervisor of the lending department who had an attitude with me and was like ‘what do you expect me to do now?’ — I expect you to take responsibility for the mistakes that were made and assist me! We even wrote to the president — no reply. Nice. The long and short of it is this. My Mother and I walked into the branch two years ago asking about if I (who had recently moved here from the u.k. so had no USA credit history) could get a mortgage to buy a house and if my Mother could co-​sign. Instead of doing this, they advised us to buy the house on my Mothers home equity line of credit, that I needed to open secure credit card and an ezline of credit with salal, and that in 12 months time they would ’ transfer the loan’. I did exactly what they asked and here we are, two years later and my Mothers home equity loan is still tied up with my house. It turns out that all Salal cared about was getting my Mum to sign on the dotted line and borrow more money. They didn’t care about our long term plan, or what we were actually trying to do. Salal did not point out that in 12 months time, even if you do what we ve suggested, we still won’t give you a mortgage to buy your house. What they should have done is co-​signed like we asked for in the first place, OR told me to just come back when I had some credit established, NOT persuading us to use my mums home line of credit which is tying up all her borrowing ability until I can sort this mess out. Shame on you Salal.
In response to Salal’s comment to my post — Jennifer was the one who basically indicated tough luck to me. Bob was also consulted — same response. How exactly is Salal planning on resolving this issue?

Not onlt is this the worst credit union ever, with predatory practices, but the Northgate branch manager is condescending and rude. When I went in to discuss how they process transactions, he offered me a check register in a very condescending fashion. It is not their job to «take care of» us, but a little customer service, kindness and understanding is basic to a successful business.
Additionally, we have accrued massive amounts of fines due to the order they process transactions. Unless your deposit is a direct deposit, they do not add it to your account until after all withdrawals have been entered. We have automatic payments withdrawn, which are processed between 7am & 8am. The bank does not open until 9:30. So, if you mistakenly don’t have the money in your account, you are screwed. Most banks I’ve dealt with will actually float you until, the end of the business day, giving you a little window to cover your butt. If you are not made of money and you live paycheck to paycheck or are self-​employed, DO NOT USE SALAL.

Rinky-​dink, this term was deemed appropriate by at least one Salal employee. I have no complaints about my standard mortgage, normal statements, payments applied promptly. My HELOC is a nightmare. Lost checks and delays to applying payments. Statements that are so confusing no one at Salal can explain them clearly. This is my 5^th HELOC loan and never in 30 years of home ownership have I had so much trouble. The online version of the loan doesn’t match to the statement. I have nothing but regrets for having refinanced with this company.

I have a car loan through them and their bill processing has been very frustrating. WORST problems I’ve ever had with a bank and the customer service is terrible.
Twice now they have called me saying I have not paid my bill in the 5 months that I have had this loan. I am someone that pays a bill as soon as I get it, at the latest mailing it in at least 10 days in advance. Each time it has been a mistake on their end and I have not heard an apology either time from them. Both times the rep has been very rude and accusatory and asked for proof of the check being cashed, which I have each time, and then no follow through on their end of an apology for their mistake. The first time they lost my check and then refused to reimburse me for a bounced check fee because I cancelled a check and then sent a new one so it wasn’t cashed doubly. And again, no apology.
Suffice to say, I will NEVER be using their services again in the future.

STAY AWAY! To tell you how bad they are, they will delete any message you put on Facebook as they don’t want their name tarnished. So people who complain they try and hide from view. The Managers: disrespectful and not professional. The lady who I tried to make my complaint to who over-​sees the managers: disrespectful. They try and make them look good, but you should really try and find a better Financial Institution for Banking and Loans. Don’t trust a bank that hide what customers say… BIG red flag!

Salal Credit Union: Gee, that’s funny, but I’ve never had a problem there.
I mean, it’s a financial institution, they didn’t wash my car or kiss my a**, but they’ve always been friendly and professional. I’m a retired attorney, I’ve had my share of bad experiences with businesses (and raise hell when it happens) but Salal always has been fine. C’est la vie…

*update as of January 2014. I just discovered that after I closed my account, and I had my expense report deposits still sent to this bank Salal CONTINUED TO TAKE PAYMENT, instead of notifying my employer that the account was void/​no longer is existence. this seems unethical, if not illegal. instead of notifying the company that was repeatedly trying to deposit to the closed account, Salal simply redirected the payments to another Salal account to someone who had a related name. who are these clowns??? definitely glad i closed my account and took my money elsewhere!
*****
i have banked here for over 20 years and i have finally decided to transfer all of my accounts to BECU. this is a sad decision for me, but this bank really can’t get it together.
this is a tech town, and this bank is way behind the times in terms of their online services, and the employees that staff their branches are slow, grumpy, unhelpful, and terrible communicators (esp their «senior» financial specialists, which are way less helpful than people who apparently have less experience. i will wait longer just to avoid certain tellers). they really need to get it together if they want to succeed, because there is a much higher standard here that people expect in terms of electronic and customer service, that this bank is far from. the last few years have been a struggle — with one issue after the other, and very poor, unhelpful customer service in the actual branches. banking should be easy — and it’s difficult at salal.
i think this bank is struggling to keep up with up the times, and they will go under if they don’t take a serious comparative look at the quality of their services and employees to other local credit unions.

WORST customer service EVER!
Salal almost cost us a large amount of overdraft fees due to a glacial response on their part, refused to help rectify the problem, and did not tell the truth about timing of key events. I will NEVER EVER use Salal again, nor will I ever trust them!

Ghcu is a member of the shared banking program. That means you can walk into another participating CU Anywhere in the country and do your banking. +5
Unfortunately their online bill payment service has never worked for me and no one has been able to tell me why. –1

I wouldn’t normally write a review for a bank, but today GHCU really came through for me. Actually, since switching from my previous bank 3 – 4 years ago (Whoo hoo!), my banking life has been so much better. Back to what happened today, though? I noticed I had been charged twice by a restaurant I visited over the weekend. A quick, two-​minute phone call and one simple fax later and my money was credited back to my account. Easy and painless. The way banking should be! :-)