Credit Union Expert says PASS on PFCU
I would as a Credit Union expert and rural citizen only do business with them if they are the only local credit union in your area. They are better than a bank, but worse than any other Credit Union in their area. In any market they are in except Portland City, you can get a better Credit Union. I'd skip Lake Michigan CU because they tried to become a bank, which I say because their territories overlap in many areas. I was a third-generation member of the this CU. They were my primary financial source for about three years when I lived in Sunfield. I have two serious issues with this institution, as a former banker, CU Board Member and CUSO professional (which are all incidental and unrelated - I was never any of these for this Credit Union). The first is when opening my account, they would not accept the only real utility bill I had - on site propane. The electrical in my farm home was hooked to another unit, and on a family meter that was not in my name. These were the second generation members, with whom they were also familiar. Like many rural occupants, I had prepaid for cellular. I had to fight with them about this, and they wanted my address changed on my ID. From an auditing standpoint, the collaborating facts and documentation far outweighed the need for these: I had many proofs of address in-hand. The bigger problem is their dormancy policy. 90% of the CU institutions send pre-dormancy letters before fees or closure. They had a correct phone, email and mailing address on my account. They were aware that I was locked out of online banking not remembering my account number. To get my account number, I would need to drive 70 miles in person. And, in the middle of the COVID19 pandemic, WITHOUT NOTICE they closed my account, kept my interest and share deposit to boot. My last transaction was in October 2019 when I transferred money to pay off my safety box and close it, which is less than six months. They need better procedures and policies, and one of their managers opening my account has an IQ issue, no question about it.
By Jon H.