missoula federal credit union

When I moved away from missoula, I switched banks.  I am now hooked on the US bank bill pay stuff.  How does the bill pay stuff look at MFCU?

MFCU does have an online billpay system. In fact, they have a "green option" (that's the one I went with) that basically means paper free. Since I found MFCU after using US Bank and seeing my friends use other corporate banks, I would never go back to another large bank again. MFCU has such great service because you are not dealing with a computer when you want to ask a question. I had a problem with my US Bank account way before I closed it and the people inside the bank were completely helpless to do anything for me because everything in their system was computerized and automatic. They actually told me to go out to the ATM and try to fix my problem from there! MFCU is much more personal and helpful. I sound like I'm writing an advertising testimonial. haha! But it's true!

If you are dealing with comparable service, Locally-owned is always better than chain.. for our community and for us!

paul wheaton wrote:
When I moved away from missoula, I switched banks.  I am now hooked on the US bank bill pay stuff.  How does the bill pay stuff look at MFCU?

Here's the main difference: You are not a customer at MFCU, you are a member. In other words, you join a cooperative of other people from Missoula, Ravalli and Lake Counties who have joined together to provide financial services to one another.  In many service related ways, it seems like a bank.  On-line bill-pay--you bet, along with on-line statements and a host of other paperless ways of doing things.  Checking accounts are called "Share drafts" but it is essentially the same thing.  Savings accounts are called "share accounts," but they pay interest. Need a safety deposit box?  They have those, too. Savings insured by the federal government's credit union overseers just like bank deposits.  MFCU has credit and debit cards (their debit card is part of the nationwide Co-op Network which means when you travel, there is no fee at Co-op Network ATMs. Last year when I was in Chicago, there were 14 Co-op Network ATM's within three blocks of my hotel! Before you travel, look up where the ATM's are and take a map with you!). There are mortgages, auto/RV/boat loans, commercial loans, and other financial services.  I can't say that members NEVER have problems, but MFCU staff will always go the extra mile to try to fix what isn't right.

This sort of is a commercial because I was on the MFCU Board for ten years and I'm on the MFCU Supervisory Committee currently.

I've been using Glacier Bank Corp for the last few years, first in Whitefish, and now here.  They have a family of banks, different names, same company. In Missoula it's First Security Bank.  I have to say, I've been pretty pleased with their service. Definitely better then Wells Fargo which i used to have.  Great online options, green options (no paper).  Friendly staff and I can still access my Glacier Bank account from the First Security Branches in town.  It's not a credit union, but it's local (Montana) and seems to be well run.  They didn't accept any TARP money anyway.  There seems to be lots of good banks in Montana.  The big new bank building downtown is LEEDS certified and they recycled like 90% of the building that used to be there. 

That's an interesting point, Greg. Do you know what level of LEED certification? Are there other buildings in town that are certified?

Here is a good article on the subject from New West, if a little old.  http://www.newwest.net/topic/article/missoula_banks_go_green/C62/L36/.

I have been banking with MFCU for over six years and have never had a problem with them, and on the plus side my debt card worked in Japan.

Destini Vaile wrote:
That's an interesting point, Greg. Do you know what level of LEED certification? Are there other buildings in town that are certified?

The MFCU branch building on Russell is the only Platinum level LEED certified building in Missoula, I believe.  They pioneered a lot of green building techniques and practices in the region including using the highest level of fly ash use in the concrete that was used and TONS and TONS of recycled glass, bamboo, etc.

Hey all you MFCU enthusiasts...thanks for the positive endorsements! Geoff, to confirm your LEED statement...our Russell branch is LEED certified at the highest level there is, and we even had a few more points than needed. We are the only Platinum-level building in Missoula, and one of only two in the state.

@Greg---the big new LEED bank building downtown is First Interstate. I think they achieved a Silver level.

Lisa
Marketing Director
Missoula Federal Credit Union

Hi, Lisa. Good job on getting platinum! Even trying for platinum seems to be a rare feat. What is the other building in Montana with that honor?

I believe the other building is listed in that story from New West

You're right. It's the Northern Plains Resource Council in Billings.

Is there a link to talk about all the eco stuff on the building?

The Yelp reviews (here) of MFCU are pretty low. Plus, I know someone who had a frustrating experience trying to set up an account there.

I like credit unions and tried find another in Missoula and found Park Side Credit Union though it's Yelp reviews are even worse.

Greg M Peters wrote:I've been using Glacier Bank Corp for the last few years, first in Whitefish, and now here.  They have a family of banks, different names, same company. In Missoula it's First Security Bank.  I have to say, I've been pretty pleased with their service. Definitely better then Wells Fargo which i used to have.  Great online options, green options (no paper).  Friendly staff and I can still access my Glacier Bank account from the First Security Branches in town.  It's not a credit union, but it's local (Montana) and seems to be well run.  They didn't accept any TARP money anyway.  There seems to be lots of good banks in Montana.  The big new bank building downtown is LEEDS certified and they recycled like 90% of the building that used to be there.  

I don't know how much to value Yelp reviews, though now when I search for First Security Bank, the Yelp reviews are terrible for it, too.

Anybody else have some credit union or bank recommendations in Missoula?

Online reviews are almost useless because in this case, really the only people that would be motivated to write a review are the ones who have had real bad experiences. The ones who just go about their banking, are not really motivated to get online and say anything.

As for the good/bad reviews like Tractor Supply or Home Depot; those are filtered first by the companies, so while they do allow bad reiews, they are not that bad, just a little negative to make it seem like it is a legitimate review system.