I’ve been banking with Wells Fargo since I was 8, but it’s time for a change. About a year ago, I tried switching to Northern Communities Credit Union, which was a complete disaster. I am looking for a local bank with good online banking and a high level of competence and professionalism. I don’t care about having a warm, fuzzy relationship with my bank. I just want them to do their job well and make it easy for me to manage my money online. Any suggestions?
25 thoughts on “Recommendations for a Duluth bank”
I’ve been with Northern Communities Credit Union for over 20 years and never had a problem. I guess the only downer has been that the downtown location closed, but it closed around the time I moved out of my Hillside apartment, so that had little affect on me.
Here’s a link to another PDD post from 2010 related to local banking: “Move your money.”
We’ve had no problems with North Shore Bank. It has a decent online banking system that allows transfers, etc. And you can go paperless, too.
Affinity are excellent, I’ve nothing but praise for them.
Hermantown Federal Credit Union. There is a Duluth branch on London Road. There are cookies every Monday and Friday!
I love, love North Shore Bank!
I’ve had a great experience with Superior Choice Credit Union. They do have a good online banking system. The only drawback is limited access to non-fee ATM’s.
I’ve worked with various financial institutions over the years and none of them are perfect by any means, not even credit unions. Remember, credit unions answer to the noisy and influential among their shareholder/members just like any other bank or S&L. When we got screwed on our mortgage by MCCU and tried to complain they wouldn’t even provide me with the names and contact info on their directors. We refinanced and ended up better off anyway, but learned a lesson.
I’ve had a business account with both US Bank and Wells Fargo here with no more than the usual hiccups in my dealings. I used to be with Northern Communities, but its move over the hill and reduction in services (they would no longer cut me a check from my savings account to pay my property taxes, their rates were poorer than other CU’s, and more) I quit.
I’m currently with Share Advantage Credit Union (formerly Federal Employees) and it has moved over the hill as well, with no ATMs available. They’re just changed their online access to be horrendous and when I talked to them they said they have decided not to offer mobile banking services. Because I had a commercial account with Wells Fargo in the past they have allowed me to use their ATMs with my SACU debit card without access fees, so I’m leaning their way at present.
North Shore Bank is local and an OK bank. But – the sister of the guy who owns that bank (both are from the Lewis banking family) owns a different bank, Park State Bank.
Park State (2630 W. Superior St.) is particularly good in terms of community involvement and it has quietly helped many fledgling businesses and also with charitable causes. It has good online banking and customer service. It has been very helpful to us as a small business by allowing us a line of credit for lean times.
Linda Krug, now running for city council, is on the board. The bank is woman owned (OK – that does get into the warm and fuzzy area).
Here is their link:
https://www.parkstatebank.com/defaultHTM.php
Oh and no fee ATM – one at the bank and one at the Dewitt Seitz.
Beacon Bank–across 4th Ave from Starbucks. Great online banking and if you need to visit the bank you’ll almost never wait in line. They also have a drive through on Michigan and a location across from Miller Hill.
I have had little problem with Members Cooperative Credit Union. My biggest complaint is that they won’t get a mobile app and that they closed their branch next to the Co-Op.
I’ve always banked with Superior Choice Credit Union (and NBC on the side). SCCU provides good service, easy online banking, interest on your checking accounts, free checking, etc.
However, like Joel said they don’t have a lot of ATM’s and their interest rates aren’t always the best (but they sure are convenient to access).
All said, I have no intentions of switching away from them at any point.
Carla, how is Park State re ATMs in other cities? One thing about North Shore Bank is they belong to the “Moneypass” network. So I can find no-fee ATMs in many cities — though sometimes they are in weird places, like the no-fee ATM in Chinatown in NYC. I want a local bank, but since I travel a bit, I don’t want to go broke accessing my account from ATMs charging me $2.50-$3 a shot.
Superior Choice Credit Union is great for service and low fees and great loan rates.
Park State Bank is great for its no-fee ATMS, community focus and general friendliness. They are willing to work with you if you’re a small business owner.
I bank with both of them.
The no-fee ATM thing — there is a Park State in Minneapolis, otherwise I do not know. Their guru for that kind of stuff is (big) Jason not (new) Jason and his # is 722-3500.
I usually make a withdrawal before I leave town and then just carry cash, but I understand the risk in that.
I normally like taking my business to local/smaller businesses, but I’ve had to dump local credit unions because their online services are flawed, cludgy pieces of crap.
I moved to the big evil, and love being able to easily access everything online.
Count me in for North Shore Bank. I do a lot of my banking online and it’s very easy. They are easy to work with and very in tune with the customer.
I know it is not local but it would be worth taking a look at USAA (https://www.usaa.com). It says that it is military but it is actually open to everyone, with the limitation being that insurance objects are only available to military or family of military (if one of your parents were military you qualify). What’s nice is that they offer Free ATM usage at any ATM (they pay back any fees you may encounter) and also offer deposits via cellphone pic, which is nice.
I love Members Cooperative Credit Union. They have 5 locations (2 in Duluth) and I’ve heard they have a mobile app coming soon. They also have a lot of products that most of the bigger banks have, but don’t charge any of the same fees. They also have online banking and billpay which esentially allows you to do all your banking virtually.
I bank with Hermantown Federal Credit Union. They have a very convenient online banking system. And they are very friendly and competent. I see no reason to switch from them. Also, you don’t need to be a small business owner to have a line of credit – which at times comes in very handy. No fee ATMs at all SA gas stations.
Yes – I also have a personal line of credit to cover over drafts and that is very convenient.
About Park State Bank ATM’s: The bank has eight ATM’s in Duluth and one in Minneapolis in the Warehouse District. If you have a qualifying account, the bank will refund ATM fees charged by other bank’s ATMs. Some of the PSB machines are free and some are only a buck, that’s all. Check out the website http://www.parkstatebank.com for more info. Think global, bank local.
Mobile apps for iphone and android will be available at Members Cooperative Credit Union in mid November. Remote deposit will be available shortly thereafter.
It’s just slightly off topic, but …
The Whole Foods Co-op purchased the Members Cooperative Credit Union’s old Hillside location, at 630 E. Fourth St., in April for $265,000.
I heard today that a plan for the spot emerged from the co-op’s recent annual meeting. Apparently the old credit union building has mold issues and needs to be demolished, so the area will become part of the co-op’s parking lot, while seating for the outdoor deli will expand out from the co-op building, with some trees being planted as well. So there’s the word on that.
Affinity is the best credit union out there, they know your name. Don’t marry you to your brother like Wells Fargo did. Excellent place to do banking.