Credit Union Atlantic

I’m with a credit union (do about half my banking there), but I find that I avoid this Spring Garden branch. Customer service used to be great but the cool/​good tellers have left (years ago now– I always like the guy with the brownish/​messy hair, he knew his stuff), and the new tellers seem uninterested, or maybe unmotivated (they are definitely an un– word). I’m also with one of the big banks, and find that CUA is acting more like a bank, and my bank is acting more like a credit union. Humph, go figure.

I’m not a member of Credit Union Atlantic, though I am a member of St Josephs Credit Union in Cape Breton. There are not a plethora of options around Halifax for a CU member, but they are there if you know where to look. Since the Spring Garden location is only a 10 minute walk from my office, it makes it a logical choice to visit for any in person stuff I have to do. Overall, I am extremely satisfied with my service there.
Customer Service: ⁵⁄₅
I normally have the same clerk when I go in, and it’s made it so that she remembers my name and account whenever I go in, making it a quick and easy process to get in, do what I need, and then keep on with the rest of my day. Even when I don’t get my normal clerk, the others are friendly, helpful, and happy. One of the worst things I’ve seen in a Halifax bank is a cranky clerk, it just ruins my day. I’m happy to say I’ve yet to run into one at CU. It doesn’t even matter that I’m a member of another CU, because they’ve got their processes in order to always accommodate what I need. If they can’t do something, they’re on the phone in seconds with my CU back home to get it worked out.
Atmosphere: ⁵⁄₅
The décor is calming, not too much of any one colour (sorry TD, but too much green makes me feel like Kermit came in and exploded upon entry…), and the waiting chairs are a large comfy blue kind. Lines are never very long, I’d say the longest I’ve ever waited was about 10 minutes. Compared with other banks in the area, I’ve seen 30 mins to an hour on paydays, so this isn’t bad.
Hours: ³⁄₅ (the only thing stopping me from giving it 5 stars)
The hours are just as you’d expect from most banks (10 – 4 or 10 – 5, weekdays). Though, it would be helpful to have longer hours on typical paydays to accommodate for those who can only make it in after work (if you close at 5, and work is over at 5, it can be hard to make it work…) Some CU’s in other parts of the city even have a few Saturday hours, which can be helpful for those who work during their normal weekday hours, or even students that have more time for banking on a weekend. Hard to fault them for this, since it really is the norm for Halifax banks, but it would make it more convenient just the same.

I had to pop into this branch today to do a deposit for work. It is a lovely bank with large windows facing Spring Garden Road and Brenton Street, great for traffic and pedestrian watching while taking care of finances.
There was no line and I was in and out in no time flat. The service was prompt and friendly enough, and I appreciated that the tellers had chairs at their disposal, as having to stand all day at a counter isn’t the most comfortable of situations.
All in all, my little jaunt into the Credit Union was a pleasant experience indeed. It’s nice to check out the different financial institutions around town, especially if you’ve been patronizing the same one for years.

Let me preface this by saying: I am not a member of the Atlantic Credit Union. I am, however, a member of a Vancouver credit union, which means that I am part of the credit union network wherever I find myself. ACU’s ATMs are therefore free for me, which I like enough to make special stops there to get cash when I am smart enough to plan ahead.
I also like how helpful they were when I came in to ask about getting a money order for my landlord. The staff have been friendly and informative each time I’ve interacted with them. Good jobs, dudes.

I’m glad the Credit Union exists, and I do all my business banking through it, but could the people at this branch do something about their lousy attitudes? Sheesh, I’d be happy if the teller serving me would even look up and acknowledge my existence.
I normally do my transactions at a different branch, (on Mumford Road, where the people are very friendly) but every once in a while I pop in here if it’s convenient and I have yet to have a pleasant experience here. These people need some serious customer service workshopping.