Today I opened a new account at a local credit union.
I've got an account at Wells Fargo... and it hasn't far to go... away. I called a local credit union, confirmed I could open an account with them, asked a few questions about online banking and ATM use. I was happy with the answers I got, so I headed on over and opened a new set of accounts in person: money market and checking. But I first checked over at Open Secrets to make sure they weren't doing any weird lobbying I wouldn't approve of.
Yes, I'm participating in Move Your Money by Occupying a Credit Union. Read a few little details after the jump.
After all the forms were filled out, I deposited more than enough to ensure I wouldn't be nibbled by their (much lower) fees.
I have to wait until November 1 for the funds to clear, because I'm a new member. As soon as they're clear, I'm going to close the Wells Fargo accounts, get a cashiers check, and deposit the whole thing at the credit union.
That's about sixty thousand less for Wells Fargo before 11/5. I'll be glad when it's done. At least I never had an account with Bank of America, or as it used to be called when it was a Bay Area bank, "B of A." For Bunch of Assholes*.
I remember when joining a credit union was a lot tougher, you had to be a member of a company or the industry the CU served. This one just requires that you live in the county it serves. And I'm glad to keep my money local.
(*Joke credit: Will Durst)
