Signal Financial Federal Credit Union

I’ve been a member for nearly a year, and I have finally been pushed to trying to close my accounts ASAP, which will be difficult regardless of my young age and small credit history. In regards to their phone service, Signal has been consistently disappointing, with one of the worst customer service programs I have ever encountered (and I have unfortunately had to encounter this one multiple times). They are extremely disorganized and seemingly staffed by people who do not understand how their industry and institution works. I recently moved away from DC, which has only increased my communication problems with the bank, but I have never been satisfied with this «small and homey» credit union. I think there needs to be updated training in current online and over the phone communication, especially since this is how our generations are leaning in what types of communication we prefer and are comfortable with.

The worst bank I have been a member of. I opened the account because I lived in columbia heights and enjoyed being a member of a credit union before. Signal financial will charge you if you call and would like your balance via phone. Their hours are also very inconvenient and their online banking is always down. Please stay away. Last week I called to obtain clarification on my account and the service representative basically called me «stupid» for needing clarification.

As a small business owner, I’ve dealt with three different credit unions based in Maryland. This is after thirty years of only doing business with various community, regional, and gigantic banks. Credit Unions have a big advantage in that they are non-​profit institutions acting on behalf of their members, as opposed to their stockholders. They don’t have to pay taxes on their earnings. As a result, they can offer higher interest on deposits, free checking, and good rates on all kinds of consumer and business loans. Signal was no different. The guys I dealt with in the commercial loan department had a tremendous amount of experience, were firm but at the same time reasonable. I would not hesitate to go to them again to get a loan. The appraiser they hired was the most competent guy I’ve ever met and the work he did was spot on. My only complaint is that the attorney they used was a complete ding-​a-​ling and when I go back, I’ll insist that they use someone more knowledgeable about writing loan docs for Baltimore investment properties.

I’ve been very satisfied with Signal Credit Union. I switched from a different credit union that wasn’t nearly as user-​friendly. They don’t charge for sending checks electronically — which is huge, and better than most of my friends’ profit-​seeking private banks. It’s easy to set up automatic payments. The online service is pretty user friendly and got even better a few months ago when they added access to credit card bills and charges from their homepage. So in one sitting, you can view all debit and credit charges. They also offer low interest loans and work with a diverse set of members in our community.
The downside is that their hours are only 9 – 5 and Saturday morning, so hard to get there for normal 9−5ers. I suggest they open up more hours.
Most importantly, as a credit union they never try to screw you with fine print and inflated interest. Bank of America is across the street, but that private bank will do anything it can to screw you as soon as you stop looking, and significantly contributed to our national financial crisis… so I’d suggest a credit union for anyone interested in supporting a more ethical financial system.

I started using Signal because it was close to my home and it was a credit union. I used the one on Potomac Avenue. It started out relatively nice, I was not happy that they held my money so long. And like others over time, the customer service became worse, as well as their ability to function as a financial institution. They treat their customers poorly as far as I am concerned. i walked in there once and they informed me that they could not service me because I had sunglasses on. WHAT!!! I have never been treated like that. I complained to the branch manager, and she tried to tell me that it was part of the Patriot Act… this chick was an idiot. When I asked for the policy in writing… needless to say they couldn’t give it to me. When I asked that she show me in writing where it says that banks can refuse service because someone is wearing sunglasses in the Patriot Act, she looked at me like I was the idiot. They serviced an individual in front of me of indiscriminate sex, wearing a hoodie which partially covered their face, and reeked of weed.
Their hours are not customer friendly, and there it is virtually impossible to access the bank without paying to park. I’ve tried to deposit checks there, and either the bank is closed, or the ATM is broken. I am looking for another bank or credit union. I am completely done and I urge everyone to stay away, far away!!!

When we switched to a joint checking/​savings account, my husband and I were determined to go to a credit union. Signal Financial seemed great. But little by little, horrific issues built up. Like the fact that they hold onto your money for 7 business days after you deposit it – so you can’t use it. If you want to take out more than $ 750 in cash, you have to give them 24 hours warning. And if you want to charge more than $ 1000 on your debit card, you have to fax them a warning!!! Which is so ridiculous. What about emergencies? Sudden purchases? Plus, the ATMs are hard to access and it took us forever to get our checks. But the $ 1000 debit card limit was the end. We’re switching to a credit union based in VA.

my husband opened up an account here. There is some red tape and the hours for activating the debit card are limited to M-​F. When we first went into the branch, it seemed like customer service was a little lax because no one bothered to tell us that after signing in to speak to someone, we still needed to go inquire at the window :-/
Free checking though… so we will deal with it.

I really wanted to like Signal Financial for a couple reasons. 1) They’re in my building and super close. 2) I’m trying to be more hippy and support local businesses.
Unfortunately, the services here were sub par compared to the Bank of America across the street and 3 other banks within 2 blocks. So after struggling with Signal for 6 months, I gave up and closed my account. Some gripes include: terrible website (online banking is really important to me), lost checks, and the union not supporting basic services that normal banks offer. They couldn’t handle electronically transferring money into the credit union. Very strange, as you would think a bank/​credit union would want to make it as easy as possible to get money in.
To give them credit, the people service was great. The bank manager remembered our names whenever we came into the branch. But the her niceness couldn’t make up for the lack of services that I need.
I really tried to use a credit union, but in the end realized that one should leave banking to the capitalists.