Community Trust Prospera

Besides being a full-​blown credit union, they also provide check-​cashing services at much cheaper rates than the sleazy places you see in low-​income neighborhoods. Their goal is to provide all kinds of financial services and not rip off poor people like a business would.
Even though Community Trust only has this one branch in San Jose, I can use many other credit unions and ATMs through «shared branching» so it’s not an issue. They also have an agreement with Bank of the West so you can withdraw money or deposit checks at all BoftheW ATMs for free.
I like them because not only are they always helpful, they also actually have better interest rates for CDs and Money Market accts than other credit unions (let alone banks!).
Over the years, I tried Valley CU and Tech CU but these guys are the best!