Had an account with them for almost my entire college career. If you're FGLI and ever at risk of overdrafting than do not use this bank. To provide context. I over drafted once during freshman year. I got the fee reversed and it was fine. My sophmore year I mistakenly thought I had $5 in my account and bought two individual sodas over to nights. This mistake cost me and I was charged with two over draft fees (totaling to $40). The fees may be fine for some but personally they really hurt me my sophmore year when I lost a large part of my check (only made 25-50 a week a this point from work study). I tried to appeal but was denied. I called and made my case for why this was unreasonable but only got condescending answers that I should "manage my money better in the future." The appeal process lacks any sort of transparency. They'll refer to decisions being made by 'upper management' but if you ask who upper management is and if you can speak to them directly they dodge the question.
Day to day that banks just okay. Secrurity is a bit concerning as they only check Penn cards and I've even been shown my account before without them checking. Even disregarding the extremely questionable customer service there are simply better banks near campus. The atms are limited and the banks location itslef is fairly inconvient if you live by the highrises. If you're an incomming freshman coming to campus then I would highly recommend one of the...
   Read moreAnyone leaving bad reviews for the credit union has clearly not had to deal with a “real bank” and their frightening incompetence, absolute indifference, and callous disregard, all served with a side of zero fx’s. This is why, despite the inconvenience of having to drive to penn’s campus every time I need anything done in person, for 20 years I have continued to schlep to the SFCU with its limited hours, summer closures, weird location, teenager staff, and all the other issues, rather than a “real” bank. That teenager who takes my check is a future captain of industry, and my phone calls are taken by the 19 year old next CEO of a “real” bank while he/she is still young, energetic and gives a pile of feces. These kids are better than 99% of actual adults at actual banks. So make this your bank, and keep coming forever, you will be mildly inconvenienced but never driven to rage & desperation (it’s over key bank/ Wells Fargo/ BOA-it never was me, it’s you). Photo of my drive to SFCU, still better than driving to a big...
   Read moreReally convenient banking for Penn students. Yes, it is run by students, but the benefits that you will get include:
Very little waiting time. If I need to have an account issue fixed I can walk in and talk to a Member Services Representative immediately. If I need to deposit and withdraw cash, I can walk in and do it immediately. I also bank with TD Bank down the street, and I've waited up to an hour to see a Member Services Representative (even though I actually SCHEDULED an appointment), and the teller lines are always super long.
They understand students. If it's a first-time fee or something I didn't realize that was my fault, they are pretty lenient with fee reversals and understanding that students are just beginning to learn to manage their personal finances.
They have an awesome credit builder program, where students can build their credit without having to do anything at all. They are really focused on making students better off financially, not trying to take your money like other commercial banks...