Totally agree about credit unions being more flexible. When we refinanced, our local CU actually waived a random fee after we asked about it—can't imagine an online lender doing that. Still, online lenders were quicker with paperwork, so there's that trade-off...
"Still, online lenders were quicker with paperwork, so there's that trade-off..."
Yeah, that's been my experience too. Credit unions are great for flexibility and personal touches, but when you're juggling multiple projects, speed can really matter. I once had a deal nearly fall through because the local CU took forever on paperwork—stressful times. Curious if anyone's found a way to nudge credit unions into speeding things up without losing that personal touch...?
Totally agree with you there—I've seen similar situations with credit unions. They're fantastic for personalized service, but speed isn't always their strong suit. One thing I've noticed helps is having a direct point of contact at the CU who knows your situation well. Building a solid relationship with someone internally can sometimes get paperwork prioritized faster. Still, it's not always foolproof...but it can make a noticeable difference, especially when you're up against tight deadlines.
"Building a solid relationship with someone internally can sometimes get paperwork prioritized faster."
Haha, this is spot-on. Reminds me of the time I was closing on a property and my CU contact went on vacation right in the middle of it—talk about timing. Had to charm my way through three different people just to keep things moving. Credit unions are great for that personal touch, but yeah, speed isn't exactly their superpower. Still, I'd take a friendly face over a call-center roulette any day...
Good points, but honestly, I've had better luck with online lenders lately.
- Rates were surprisingly competitive (saved me a good chunk).
- Paperwork turnaround was quicker than expected.
- Didn't have to charm anyone—just clicked through and done.
Maybe worth considering if you're tight on time or budget...