Provident Credit Union

Don’t do it. They couldn’t read my paperwork; the ATM card maker has been broken for days while they flapped their wings; I told them that I would be traveling and would need to use a shared branch and they forgot to mention that I couldn’t use them during the first 30 days of account opening; when I called their 800 number I got dumped back into the queue when they put me on hold; and on and on. I’m finally fed up and going to Tech CU across the street.
Bottom line: incompetence all around. The bribes just aren’t worth the aggravation.

We have two accounts at Provident, the Sunnyvale Branch is convenient, the staff is very helpful. No complaints! When it comes to many basic services, credit unions outperform the big banks, it seems a no-​brainer to avoid for-​profit ‘big banks’.

I just opened an account with Provident Credit Union and truly enjoyed the customer service. I was looking for a trustworthy credit union so I could have a peace of mind and not dealing with those hidden fees like all other banks have. I met with James Newson the Personal Account Officer in Sunnyvale branch. He provided me an outstanding customer service explaining all the options for opening an account and/​or a credit line with detail. I was truly convinced that I was in right place and in good hand. Thank you to James!

I applied for and was pre-​approved for a car loan from Provident CU prior to going out to find a car. When I found the car of my dreams in Sunnyvale from a private party, I met with Chad Frontino, Branch Manager of the Sunnyvale Community Branch of Provident Credit Union. He was most supportive and helpful in processing the loan papers. The seller had to come in also in order to finalize loan processing. Everything went very smoothly, with minimal wait time and everything explained as we went along. The seller received his check for the sale in no time, and Chad also processed all the DMV paperwork and payment to them as well.
I highly recommend dealing with Provident CU in general (I’ve been a member since 2009), but in particular please see Chad Frontino if you need help with purchasing a car.

Well, their staff is nice, friendly and helpful, and I enjoy going there. That’s why the 3, rather than 2 stars. I regularly (and felt somewhat guilty about it) use the Sunnyvale branch to get cash from another CU on the network. Because of the guilt, I decided it would be only fair to open an account with Provident also. So I started the process. By the time they wanted to know who I used to work for (I’m retired), how much I made, what my position was at my last job, proof of where I lived, and other intrusive and unnecessary questions I decided it wasn’t worth either the hassle, or the intrusion into my private life. So, as a result, they don’t have my account. Too bad for them, not important for me.

I had an amazing experience, thanks to Sukhoon! He really explained in detail how their car loans work and definitely dropped my interest rate by a lot and tried to find my husband and I the best deal! Sukhoon was very friendly and funny which made the whole process very comfortable. Couldn’t have asked for a better experience and definitely recommending him to friends and family!

I went to Provident Credit Union in Sunnyvale to get a Loan. The Manager there was rude. He started talking over me and was so loud. He was Condescending. He was Arrogant. Bad experience altogether. Went to a different branch and had no problems.

Worst customer service, manager will have a conversation with other coworker and will ignore the fact that’s there’s a big line while another teller is trying to do her best while others don’t take their jobs seriously. I would never get an account with them.

I wouldn’t recommend. Terrible customer service with few exceptions. The manager was especially unpleasant. More judge mental than helpful. So if you want to go to a bank where they are going to give you problems instead of solutions, provident is the bank for you.

I went to provident cu to see if I can get a lower apr motorcycle loan. Steven took care of me from the start in a way you don’t expect credit unions do. He instantly ran the credit application and explained the docs he will need. Next day, when I told my dealer wants a check before he can deliver the motorcycle, Steven went beyond what’s required by contacting his colleague Joshua at a provident cu near the dealer (which was at Folsom) so that I can submit the purchase order there and he can instant transfer the funds. Long story short, I opened an account and got the bike the same day. Best part is, Steven talked in a way what would be best for me and he was ready to do any work that will be needed to get it done, like a true service professional.
Interesting tidbit: Even though it didn’t help me, they give same APR for new and upto 7 years old vehicles!

I’ve now had experience with two auto loans through Provident, and have been helped by Steven Lentz on both of them. For the first one, I had limited credit and had just started my job, but Steven was able to get an excellent rate, way below the market despite me not even having paystubs to show.
And then, when I recently made a complicated trade-​in of the same car with a significant chunk of the previous loan still to pay off, Steven was, if possible, even more helpful and made the process very smooth and completely painless, and gave me an almost identical rate.
I really like the way Provident has done business with me so far, and I would definitely recommend them and Steven to anyone looking for a loan. It also helps that their checking and savings accounts are hassle free and don’t cost anything, and the online interfaces and mobile application are modern and polished. Easily the best financial institution I’ve dealt with.

Had my auto loan approved on the phone from the redwood city office. Since mine was an auto load and the car was from a private party, I chose Sunnyvale Branch to do the transfer.
Yes, Woohoo! As good as it gets!
You are greeted by everyone in the branch. Steven was amazing, he came up and said you must be so and so.(celebrity status for a moment)
We were taken to the room, all the work was carried out so smoothly and within 10 min, the seller was given the check, all the paperwork other than our signatures were already ready. They even registered the car with the DMV.
Thank you Steven for assisting us in all the work and following up to check if we need any information.
I surely recommend this branch.

We purchased a car recently and took and auto loan from the bank. We were buying the car from a stranger, and both of us did not know the rules very well. Provident and especially Steven (and earlier, Mindy) did a great job of handling the buy process and gave the loan at a really good interest rate. Also, the interest is simple interest, so yoo-​hoo.
Having Provident during a car deal is like having a trustworthy third party — and is really comforting.
My only suggestion to them would be — why don’t they extend the 2.5% APY on their super reward checking to the savings account. I would be more comfrtable to have money lie there rather than in the checking!

I really love this credit union! They have outstanding costumer service! They always greet you with a smile and are ready to help you!

Really great customer service here.
I really liked how our representative (who is also a manager at this location) told us some tips to get more for our account (check-​in through Unilocal), etc. It was a smooth process to come here and take care of setting up new accounts, and I didn’t feel like I was being pushed to do something I didn’t want to do. Everything went smoothly.
I’m glad I came here and I like what this credit union has to offer.

Steven Lentz gets things done. Their machine to make debit cards was broken and my wife needed a replacement. (My wife is disabled and has been ill of late.) We made arrangements to have my son pick a card up since I work all the time and she isn’t able to get out by herself too much, nut was very inconvenienced not having a card.
When the machine was repaired I called and confirmed the arrangements. Steven was busy so they asked someone else (who will remain un-​named as a kindness to Steven) and they were told that my wife had to come to the bank, or they would have it sent which would take up to 10 days. I got on the phone, and while the person wasn’t rude, they were dismissive of our situation. One of the things I hate in business is hiding behind policy or procedure. It was why I typically prefer credit unions. They are SUPPOSED to be more responsive than a «Big Bank».
The reason given was that they could only give it to the member. I don’t think the person trusted my 15 year old son with the card. THE THING WAS I DID! My son often takes the card to the store by our house if his mom needs something quickly. If my wife and I, together and in person, make arrangements, I expect them to be kept.
Steven called me and was polite an apologetic. We spoke for a bit and he said he would see what might be done. He call back a bit later and offered to bring the card by personally to our apartment.
NOW THAT IS SERVICE!
The card was dropped off this afternoon without incident, and I am a very happy Provident Credit Union member.
If you are looking for a credit union, Provident CU is a great one. The Rewards Checking with Courtesy pay is the best checking account structure I have ever had. If you are going in to set up an account, ask for Steven. It will get done right, and by someone who cares for the client, and will walk the walk, not just talk the talk. His customer service attitude and relationship skill are far superior to the person the represented himself as his manager. I hope if there is a chance for advancement, he gets a shot. He has earned it, at least with this member.
Addendum: Spoke to Steven, and the manager after hearing all points came around. Maybe this is a good training moment for everyone.
5 Stars for all :)

What an amazing place. I have been banking with Provident for the past couple years now. They have such a friendly staff they welcome me in like a family member as if I was walking into their home. I have been impressed with this place since my decision to switch to a credit union. I wasn’t until my most recent visit that made me come on to Unilocal,as a none Unilocal user and write about my experience.
I have recently started my own nonprofit organization and was looking for potential places to house my new business. I started at Provident and asked for a simple information sheet, and without any hassle they printed out all the information I would have needed. Every time I went in I had to ask for the same information, because I kept losing it, and every time they were more than happy to help me, without trying to get me signed up «right than.‘
About one month later I walked in with all the information and documents that were listed and Sukhoon Hong, the Branch Manager, immediately was a huge help. He had known about my recent questions about starting a business account and had even printed out the info sheet for me on two separate occasions. Mr. Hong was awesome, super friendly, extremely informative and handled all over our requests with ease. He was a great resource and was able to get our account started within no time at all. I will be banking here for many years to come! If anyone is looking to start a business, I would suggest coming and checking out who is handling your account. Provident has the recipe for success!
Since my new business account has been started, I have gone in once and Mr. Hong has already asked about the business and wished me luck. What a great feeling, to have a Credit Union Care about us as a individuals and businesses!!!
Thanks Provident! Thanks Sukhoon and all the Staff at Provident, keep up the amazing work!

If I could give ten stars for service and support, I would. The perfect car fell into my lap, but I needed to take a cash advance for a large amount as well as pull some cash out from my account as soon as possible. However, I had only recently opened up the credit card account and hadn’t received the card yet, and they cannot give cash advances without the card because the account needs to be activated by the recipient. The senior member suggested a car loan, but the vehicle was up in Sonoma, so that wouldn’t work either. Then, they suggested a personal loan, and said that with a quick turnaround, they could likely get approval by the end of the day (it was 1pm, and the bank closes at 6pm).
We had to go through a series of hoops and paperwork due to credit limits and such, and through it all, the staff were supportive, courteous, and helpful. They coordinated everything, and the money was made prior to the close of business, just as promised. I’ve been a member of Provident CU for almost three years now, and I have never looked back, having come from Bank of America.

I don’t have an account with Provident, but if I was looking to open one, I would definitely consider them.
They’re part of the credit union network, so I have stopped in a few tunes to deposit to my other credit union account. Every time, the staff have been very friendly and personable. The place has a welcoming feel and seems to be well-​staffed. I haven’t had a detailed look at their materials but the rates seen to be very good.
Overall, A+ for customer service.

Anyone who knows me knows I like a little due diligence when it comes to purchases, especially big ones like a car loan.
So after much research, I extended a firm hand shake to the folks at Provident Credit Union primarily due to the insanely low interest rate & terms they offered me.
That was earlier this year and the deal was fairly painless BUT somewhere, somehow the ball was dropped on the title transfer DMV paperwork which resulted in my plates expiring!
After leaving several msgs with the DMV coordinator I finally had to make a special visit in person to the branch mgr to get things moving fwd. Once it was brought to his attention, he was very responsive but it should have never gotten to this point. So…
4 (competitive rates & banking services) + 2 (customer service) = 3 overall