1 Star - Deeply Disappointing and Concerning Experience…read more
I recently visited the PFCU branch at 8025 Roosevelt Boulevard with my mother, who is a senior, a long-time member, and terminally ill. The purpose of our visit was simple: to add my name to her account. Prior to arriving, we had already confirmed by phone that the branch does not notarize Powers of Attorney except for loan documents, so we were not expecting that service--just basic assistance with the account update.
Unfortunately, the interaction with the Assistant Branch Manager, Cynthia DiGiacomo, was dismissive, hostile, and completely lacking in empathy or professionalism. She ignored me despite my involvement in helping my mother, repeatedly responded to me with "Are you a member?", and displayed a tone and demeanor that made us feel like an inconvenience rather than people needing help--especially given my mother's medical condition.
Her body language and responses felt more like intimidation than customer service. At one point, she stated that even if she could notarize something, she could refuse and "did not have to do anything," which speaks volumes about her approach to member service and leadership.
To make matters worse, after this visit, I was informed that a branch employee allegedly reported that I had threatened physical harm. This is completely false and appears to be a retaliatory and fabricated claim. If any such threat had occurred, common sense and protocol would dictate that I would have been asked to leave or that authorities would have been called. Neither happened--because it never occurred.
The previous representative actually slipped me the manager's card to report the Assistant Manager's behavior, which makes this false allegation even more troubling. It feels like an attempt to discredit a legitimate complaint rather than address the real issue: unprofessional and inappropriate conduct by a person in a leadership role.
While my name was eventually added to the account (making me a new member), this was an awful first impression of PFCU. This experience reflects poorly on the branch and contradicts the values a credit union should stand for: respect, integrity, empathy, and member-first service--especially when dealing with seniors and families in difficult situations.
I've requested this matter be reviewed at an executive/compliance level, because false accusations and hostile treatment of members should never be tolerated in any financial institution.
I hope PFCU takes this seriously--for the sake of its members, its reputation, and basic standards of professionalism.