North Side Community Federal Credit Union

If I had based my review solely on the number of times the phones have been busy or unanswered over the past 26 years that I have been a member, the rating would have been a 1. Despite issues that BTW always got resolved favorably, I remain a member. Once a member always a member no matter where you move globally or locally. This small credit union carries special memories and has been both a lifesaver, business saver for my nonprofit via emergency loans and special loans that have helped me, my children, and my nonprofit. It is my intentional primary financial institution. I served on its board 19 years. I watched and listened to staff, directors and other volunteers. For all that this Credit Union has done for the communities and small businesses it serves with such little capital or assets in comparison to surrounding financial institutions, and the dedicated service of its management, staff and board, I dare not cancel my membership or present only a negative view of the service. I empathize with customers who want cash, but note that the Credit Union has offered VISA debit cards since 2014, with which members who qualify can withdraw cash next door for free at the ATM. In response to the outdated negative reviews of staff and the Credit Union that appears in search engines was unfair of the staff. The staff is underpaid, but they basically care about members. Some have taken cuts in pay to work there. Others have left, but the loan manager remains and has done a wonderful job after many years of training and experience. I do not know if it is cultural or a sign of how occupied she is with her work, but often she talks fast and sometimes while you are talking. Some may consider it rude. But it is not and believe me, you need someone like her who knows the ins and outs of credit union financing and processing. If you are patient and not rude as I have seen many members, you will fund Maria a dedicated officer who loves her job and truly wants to please the members. She will be glad to thoroughly process your loan refer it as necessary to the Credit Committee and help you in an emergency if she can. She has given loans that banks would turn down as too small or too risky or not profitable. But she will not put the members; assets in jeopardy and she will not hesitate to tell you the deal if you do not qualify for the loan you want. There is financial literacy classes and ways to build your credit and your assets. The person who said on the website to steer clear and that we are not what we say we are, that the website lies obviously is not an active member who uses the Credit Union services very often if at all. This is a federally regulated community credit union, not a fly by night predatory lending agency or a scheming, greedy lender out to reap huge profits off the backs of the people who live in its boundaries, How many people know the names of their bank’s manager, president or chairman, vice president, loan officers, housing officers, or tellers. Our staff and directors’ names are published on the website. How many banks invite you to their annual meetings? What banks consider you a member, not just a customer and give you voting privileges. We are not a bank. We are not trying to compete with the banks. We are trying to provide affordable financial products to you such as signature loans, emergency loans, housing loans, car loans, education loans, loans for funerals vacation loans, return to school loans, debt payoffs, etc. BUT YOU HAVE TO BE A MEMBER FIRST or be part of a special group or qualified small business if it is a city-​sponsored or specially endowed loan. I appreciate this nonprofit institution that has remained in business despite the economy and slowdown of borrowers and lowered interest rates for 40 years and you should, too. When small business loans are issued, you can look around the neighborhoods and see where the loan money is going. The board stays on top of social issues, too. The Credit Union is green, socially responsible and will continue to accept applications and issue loans to members who qualify and even help them raise their credit scores every week or every month. Just remember to pay them back, because the money belongs to all the members, and if loans are not repaid, more loans cannot be issued. Thank you. Love and peace, Maat P. S. My rating is really 4 ½ stars.

All hail Cesar!
I cannot say enough to repay him for all his professionalism, knowledge, brilliant help and experienced humor. If you hold an account here and are confused, inexperienced, overwhelmed with questions, facing financial planning, looking for credit counseling, ready to buy a home, to consolidate, to see if you can refinance– please do not put it off– this is the man for the job. This is the help that can change your life.
Cesar is phenomenally helpful– answering all of my questions seriously, providing well-​explained, very detailed plan options while explaining short and long-​term results. He is experienced, informed, professional and above all, helpful.
You need to be bring all your paperwork, your records and your honest questions to the table. It is recommended that you proceed scheduling an appointment after reviewing the website online or on one of the handy fliers readily available here at the credit union.
You will need to bring all of those to him to review and he will cross-​check to be certain you are proceeding with all options available. Be aware– This will take hours, not minutes, so please be prepared, schedule responsibly so neither of you are rushed or hindered.
I promise you will be more informed. If all the «what-​ifs» keep you awake at night or stress you– I promise you will feel better knowing what your options are, confident in how to proceed.
I’ve faced bankers who are obnoxious used car salesmen– that pressure or demand you adopt loans or overwhelming debt rates without care, patience, explanation or kindness. This is the opposite.
My relief in having Cesar’s help is without compare– like Atlas getting a massage while on a clear sunny beach– there are no words for my gratitude. I hope to maintain contact with him for a long time in order to proceed in meeting all my financial goals.

I needed a loan for a car.
That’s not entirely true. I could have bought the car outright, but I would have liked to have gotten a loan for a portion of the cost to help build my credit score. I decided to support my local credit union as a way to help give back to the community I live in. Uptown can use every little bit of help it can get.
Ultimately, it didn’t happen. They wouldn’t have a conversation with me except through the glass. They didn’t articulate that I had to have an account already open there for them to even look at the application. Maria consistently interrupted me as I attempted to discuss the status of the situation. Ultimately, between the difficult hours and the rude/​impersonal service, I decided that they clearly must not want my business.
I went elsewhere.

They are going to treat you fairly and with a lot more respect than a large bank. True, the hours are limited but who really goes into banks these days anyway? Tom was very helpful and the overall vibe is professional with a grass roots appeal.

VERY HELPFUL. For low-​income folks they will even help with taxes.

Most of the folks here have criticized the credit union for their hours. Yes, they have unusual hours. However, the work the place does is outstanding. Great service, reasonable fees.

The people who work here are nice, but the hours are very limited. They are only open Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. They do not open until 9:00am and close most days by 2:30.

My initial experiences with NSCFCU have been pretty poor. I’ve been wanting to open a savings account with local credit union for little while and I found this place after a little research. I had a few questions and tried to call them at a time when their website said they were open. I tried several extensions over several days and couldn’t get a hold of anyone. Once my schedule allowed, I finally went over there to talk with someone and open a savings account. When I arrived at about 2:30 pm I was told I needed to arrive by 2:00 pm to open an account. Ugh. What a ridiculous rule. Such a rule should be noted on their website with their other requirements. The teller was nice, though. She certainly didn’t institute that dumb rule so I didn’t give her a hard time. I just took my paperwork to mail in or return the next time my schedule allows, whenever that may be.

Great customer service! Very friendly! Good small town service in the city!
Have free educational classes, help you with your taxes, great account incentives, on-​line access, reasonable fees/​fines (if any) and supportive friendly staff.
You do have to live in Uptown to open an account.