HealthCare Associates Credit Union

Fast & friendly service. All of the same services of a big bank but with warm and friendly people. I can even take pictures of my checks and they have a mobile site that's easy to use.

I signed on with HACU over twenty-five years ago. It was when the Park Ridge manager set up a table at the hospital where I worked as a Registered Nurse. Every experience has been a positive one and I would not bank anywhere else! Each employee has demonstrated a keen interest with each and every transaction. I would be very surprised if I would encounter a negative attitude. I admit that is hard to find in this fast paced culture we now have. Every direct deposit is timely and just recently I refinanced my car, lowering the payments! I always anticipate a warm and welcoming voice when I need to speak with a representative. I hope this experience never changes. It reminds me of how banks worked so long ago.

Do NOT open an account with HACU. I have had problems with this company from the beginning. First of all, after opening an account here...and getting a new job in Chicago, I had to wait 2 full paychecks before Direct Deposit was to begin. So the first check I receive from my hospital, I deposit at one of their "branches." 3-4 days later, I check my balance, and my paycheck has STILL not been posted. I call the bank 1-800 phone number, only to find out that because I am a "new account," that I would have to wait 14-15 days to receive my PAY!



Next problem, is on their website...you can search by zip code to find the "many" branches, and "service-charge free" ATM's across the city. So I visit about 3-4 ATM's listed as "free," and about 2 different local "branches" only to find out the information on HACU's website is innacurate. I finally got tired of driving around to find a "service-charge free" ATM, and pulled out money from a STAR ATM, since my HACU Debit card has the STAR logo on it.



Needless to say, even though the STAR logo was on BOTH THE ATM, AND MY DEBIT CARD...I was still charged $3.00 to pull cash out of the ATM. So I call HACU, again to complain. The telephone teller was not helpful, telling me that the information on their website "might not be accurate, because STAR ATM's website updates where the service charge free ATM locations are."



So basically, I have NO IDEA where I can actually pull out money without being charged, and their website is NO HELP.



A few days pass, and I buy some groceries with my HACU debit card. Next, I check my balance with HACU, only to notice that an extra $2.00 was charged, after buying $19.50 worth of groceries. I go back and check, and it turns out that HACU has been charging me $2.00 EVERY TIME I USE MY DEBIT CARD, ANYWHERE.



I will be changing banks, as soon as possible. Whatever you do, do not go with Healthcare Associates Credit Union.