I've actually found credit unions to be way more transparent than big banks, at least in my experience. Yeah, the early payment penalty thing is annoying, but it's not unique to credit unions—some traditional banks sneak that in too. Honestly, the key is always reading the fine print carefully. I've had great luck negotiating terms upfront with smaller lenders; they're usually open to tweaking things if you ask nicely. Might be worth trying next time...
"Honestly, the key is always reading the fine print carefully."
Couldn't agree more with this. I've found smaller lenders surprisingly flexible too, especially if you're upfront about your needs. It's always worth asking—worst they can say is no, right?
Haha, true—worst they can say is no... or "let me transfer you to another department." But seriously, smaller lenders can be hidden gems. Just make sure you're clear on fees and terms upfront—saves headaches later.
Good point about smaller lenders—sometimes they're the only ones willing to get creative with loans that don't fit neatly into standard guidelines. Just double-check their reputation and ask directly about prepayment penalties or hidden fees... saves you from surprises down the road.
Smaller lenders can definitely be a mixed bag. I remember when I was trying to refinance a few years back, my credit was decent but my income structure was a bit unconventional. Most big banks wouldn't touch it, but a smaller lender stepped in and made it work. The process was smooth overall, but I did have to clarify some vague language around early payoff fees. Always worth taking that extra time to ask questions upfront... saves headaches later.
