I switched to Connex Credit Union back in September. Was not thrilled about about the M&T acquisition, and frankly, most big banks could do a lot better for their customers...

With that said, a lot of Credit Unions are smaller operations. Their hours and locations aren't always convenient, but you generally do get a more personal touch when you do walk in or call and talk to someone. You're definitely less of a "barcode/account no." than you would be at Bank of America or something.
If you're looking to buy a house than you should defiently ask whatever Credit Union you go with about rates...most of them can give their members (customers) killer rates on loans and mortgages.

Our house use Connex. They have branches in Branford, Guilford, New Haven,Orange, North Haven and Meriden.

I have an account at both American Eagle Financial as well as Connex. Both offer good mobile services, and Connex offers convenient interactive teller service hours for banking needs that stretch beyond normal hours. Despite their smaller size, I am not ever treated like a number at either, and you get personal service when you walk in, rates are better, and service is better.

I havent used a mega bank in ten years, and I will never go back.

It helps to know where you are located but I use members first FCU in wallingford. I started with them because my dealership connected me to them for a 2.9% used car loan back in 2016 and I've stuck with them since with really nice service.

I use American Eagle here, big enough and small enough all in one.

Sikorsky is a great credit union

Ah, gee, you mentioned the one category that isn’t competitive at credit unions. Their savings acct interest rates and CDs are usually not competitive with banks. They offer great interest on checking accounts that are active though, unlike banks. I have totally free checking and make interest on it, so basically I am being paid by them to have a checking account. That’s common at credit unions.

For savings, though, I would look for high interest savings accounts at banks, especially online banks like Amex or Marcus or capital one.

I do recommend credit unions for every day checking, car loans house loans, personal lines of credit. Connex is good, Sikorsky is good too. There are a few good ones here

Edit: for investment accounts, don’t use newbies like Robin Hood and also any that charge you for trades, like Merril Lynch. Open an online account at one of the solid standard brokerage houses. Examples: Fidelity, Charles Schwab and TDAmeritrade all have user friendly platforms with just tons of guidance and analysis/research into securities to get you started. You can open an account with a dollar and they are free to buy and sell stocks and ETFs etc.

Brokers like Robin Hood offer so little. Their users run around the Internet scratching together research on potential stocks to buy and their security is untested. The others I recommended allow access to reports for free that would otherwise cost a small fortune to subscribe to from dozens of sources

Look for promos too. Fidelity just had one (maybe still going) where they’ll put $200 in your account if you open a new account with $50

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Been with American Eagle since M&T after being a lifelong People’s customer.

Couldn’t be happier.

I suggest expanding to online banks too. Ally is great. Having both is typically helpful.

Nutmeg State Financial Credit union is fantastic! Incredible customer service, I never feel like just another number

If you or anyone in your family works for the state, I highly recommend Connecticut State Employees Credit Union. They have great service, are super sweet, pay out dividends for your account and great refinance and auto loan rates. Their new auto loan rate is 2.49%!

Cons are a lack of locations and hours are pretty sparse.

been with Dutch Point for a long long time. Always been great

Navy Federal CU if you qualify. They just introduced Share Savings paying 5%.

Agree with others who mentioned online banks for better rates. I've been using Ally for years, their savings account is at 3.5% right now, with CDs a bit higher.

I do still bank locally for emergencies, larger cash withdrawals, or certified checks. I've been with Mutual Security Credit Union for over 10 years and have never had a problem. Not sure where you are, but they're around Fairfield, Litchfield, and New Haven counties.

Cse credit union has great rates on loans but their hours are short and few locations and don't really offer much in online banking. for basic saving interest rate, online account like ally or discover is better. For the best checking account feature, it is Charles Schwab checking account that you have to open with a brokerage account. Unlimited free checks, refunded on all ATM fee, great customer service center in Utah, and they will ship your debit card to anywhere in the world. For retirement, I like to use vanguard and pick a low fee index fund. For short term savings that you are planning to use in a year or two, check out ibonds on us Treasury website, currently 6%

This is great information thank you! I will take a look at both of those !

The interest rate has to be better than .1 %! Hmm I wouldn’t mind switching over to something like that. I’ve been with Webster bank since 2015.

I appreciate all this information!

That is very good compared to my .1%…

You’re welcome