Joining a Credit Union

Having chosen a credit union over banks, the next step is joining one.

The catch with credit unions is being eligible. No one in Agaric qualified for Alliant, for example, mentioned by some people as the best alternative to the USAA for non-military people. This difficulty makes joining a credit union more challenging than simply choosing one.

Therefore, i am pleased to announce my eligibility in the Digital Federal Credit Union (DCU). One of the organizations whose members are eligible for membership in DCU is the Merrimack River Watershed Council, a worthy organization to be sure, but one to which we have a connection. My family home is a quarter mile from South Lake of Lake Cochituate, which flows through Middle Lake to North Lake Cochituate, which flows quietly and gently into Cochituate Creek, then into an unnamed tributary, to the Sudbury River, which continues on to merge with the Assabet River to form the Concord River which - you got it - flows into the Merrimack River!!!

Also Manchester, NH, location of Agaric HQ North, is on the Merrimack River. But i'm proud of the Natick connection to the Merrimack River watershed! It would be an interesting week or so of kayaking, too.

Dear banks, what i want from you (or, what i want to create with ten thousand of my closest friends in a new credit union):

• Automatic bill payment (DCU, Middlesex)
• Electronic transfer to other accounts (at the same or other banks, zero to minimal fees)
• Scan in checks from anywhere (DCU)

Customer service at DCU was slow, and initially frustrated with me, but ultimately helpful:

• Online payment is free, allow up to 10 days in case they can't do it electronically and have to mail someone a check.
• None of the services are dependent on getting a credit card (having never borrowed money in my life, i understand i have a worse credit rating than someone who defaulted on a few loans).
• Do not need a separate organization membership for Agaric at the Merrimack River Watershed coalition.
• Do need an LLC operating agreement along with other docs to start the account.