Been a member for over 30 years and customer service and ease to do business with them is almost impossible now. They were the best at one time but not anymore. read more

I wish I could give this credit union zero stars. They closed my account 3 days before a holiday with OUT telling me or notice. My direct deposit was not able to get there and I am unable to get paid. My employer is closed for the next 4 days as well. Unfortunately I was not able to give my kids the Thanksgiving they deserved. Our families holiday was completley ruined by this company, the lack of communication, sympathy, customer service, and caring. read more

Thank you all for posting. These reviews have caused me to open an account at a different financial institution. Thanks for the honest and valuable information. read more

Tried to open an account with them and they told me that the lease that we used to get our driver's licenses and our passports was not acceptable as proof of address!!! How the hell is a legally binding agreement that my state government accepted as proof not valid for a credit union????? They will blatantly ignore legal documents you provide to them so why wouldn't they ignore other legal documents that are in place to protect you? STAY AWAY!!!! Air Force Federal Credit Union (and if you are military affiliated Navy Federal Credit Union) both said that my documents were just fine so I opened accounts with both! read more

It's Monday, and this is the third open day in a row that I've tried to get through by phone. I called 2.5 hours ago and requested a callback in the system. I wonder if that will happen while they are still open, or if this will be like the prior two days, when hours passed and no representative ever came on the line, and the phone line closed for the day Without anyone taking my call. read more

I do much of my basic banking with Great Lakes Credit Union at the Bolingbrook branch and have been a member there for many years. In all those years I've never had a problem with any of the services provided by this credit union. I've always been treated in a most professional and courteous manner and in my opinion, they are a financial institution that is well-run. There are a number of negative ratings aimed at this business and I can understand that those patrons in some way, feel they have been slighted and wish to vent their experience. My reason for writing this review was to provide an honest opinion of my experiences with Great Lakes Credit Union. read more

If I could rate Great Lakes Credit Union lower I would. After an employee inappropriately gathered all of my personally identifiable information, gave me a false name and made no record of the call, the credit union refused to help me. They would not determine who the employee was. They would not help me ensure I was protected in the event of criminal activity. They told me I could not prove I called because there was no record. They are criminals. Don't do business with this shady credit union. read more

Absolutely terrible customer service. Every time I call there's at least an hour hold. When you leave a message it takes almost a week for them to call back. Can never get anyone to call me back. What's the point of having your money there if you can access it? read more

I got a home loan through great lakes credit union. With out me knowing they sold my loan to a company with terrible reviews and that reported my loan to my credit report 10000 more then my loan was even for do not get a mortgage with this company they are terrible read more

GLCU Zion location is, by far, has the rudest staff. They offer no explanation, they will offer you no phone call instead making you wait 30+ minutes in their waiting area, and then literally shrug at you when you ask how much longer. The online banking WOULD be a plus if it was actually accessible often. read more

I really could not say anything good about this place. Anytime you call them for information, every rep gives you a ring around. On one call I talked to no less than a dozen people. Someone will answer and not understand your request, then instead of figuring out how to help you, they dump you in the front queue just to go through all the menus again. I have not had worse customer service from any o read more

I got nothing but lies from these people. Went to them for a mortgage as they had a no points, no fees loan advertised. Was told the rate was X and there were no points, no fees. Got the GFE and the rate wasn't what was promised, regardless of the fact that I had the rate in writing from someone, and it was the same on their website as when I had applied. In addition, my 'no fee, no points' loan was loaded with fees and points. application fee 400+ origination fee 800+ lock fee to lock for 30 days: 1/2 point Do not waste your time with these people and do not believe a word they tell you. Their trick will be to tell you that they wait until they have the title fees from the seller and THEN give you the GFE loaded with garbage fees, by which time you've wasted time not lining things up with another bank. If you decide to try it with them, INSIST on a GFE immediately or walk. INSIST on getting their no points, no fees commitment in writing or walk. Also beware the fact that they'll lock the rate for 30 days, if you pay the lock fee, but will promise to close in 30-45 days. I dropped them like a hot potato when I got the GFE, so I don't know, but my expectation is that they'd blow by the 30 day lock period and then want to charge more to extend the lock until you close. DON"T WALK, RUN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! read more

This is the most incompetent financial institution that I have dealt with regarding mortgages. Stay away, stay away, stay away. When they create an issue on your account, they take zero responsibility. Even if you have to pay a higher rate somewhere else, it's better than dealing with GLCU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Stay away!!!!! read more

Terrible customer service and customer satisfaction. Twice I had to wait about 15 minutes for customer service while being kicked back and forth between the credit union's credit card rewards number and the credit union. My inquiry dealt with rewards points subtracted from my account because they had "expired." No where on the credit card bill does it warn the customer that points are about to expire. The rewards company told me the points could be restored by the credit union. But after spending two hours on this issue I received a call the next day from the credit union informing me that they could not give back the points. Find a credit union that treats their customers properly. read more

This company is a scam. They will rob you. I had my car refinanced through this company and they gave me the runaround for months. I called repeatedly to find out how to make the payments for my car and they told me they were going to mail the required information. The only thing I EVER recieved in the mail was two repossession notices on the same day AFTER THE repossessed my car. Now the repossession is going to scar my credit for the next decade and I don't have a car. I also had several items stolen from my car when it was repossessed. I am not the only one they have refused to mail necessary documents to. Their customer service is incredibly rude and hostile. There is a reason they are not bbb accredited. Do not trust this company. read more

The absolute worst. They purchased my credit union in Crystal Lake a few years ago, it has been a nightmare ever since. I could share several horror stories but will stick with the most recent My daughter's debit card stopped working and she went the to the Crystal Lake branch to request a new one. The tellers got into a very loud verbal argument about who was going to have to wait on her. It took that very awkward exchange and many eye rolls and **loud sighs*** to finally get the problem taken care of. read more

I wish I could give a zero. The wait was ridiculous. Do better and be better by taking care of your coustomers.

The worst customer service ever! I was a victim of fraud over the holidays. I called them to let them know. They told me not to expect any special treatment. This was my 3rd car loan with them. I was never late and I paid off my loans early. The first sign of trouble, they shut down on me. I walked outside today to find my car gone! They repossessed it after missing ONE PAYMENT because someone hacked my checking account!!! STAY AWAY FROM THIS COMPANY!!! read more

If I could rate the CU I would rate it ZERO. The experience in the loan department dealing with a girl called "Michele" if that is her real name, was the worse experience in my life to say the least. Michele was livid, irritable, forceful, no patience. I was late on my car loan and this woman told me she was going to take my car no matter what. She did not want to hear my reason on my late payment, I kept explaining, she would not listen to me. Unreasonable person she is, just terrible and so unprofessional, I cannot believe she has a job! NEVER would I come to this bank again, with a credit score of 750 , they FAIL on communication. The office should be closed and Michele fired! read more

DO NOT DO BUSINESS WITH THIS COMPANY!!! YOU WILL BE SORRY. I've requested a payoff letter to close a condo sale and they will not respond or send it- you will not be able to close your mortgage or sale if you work with them- It is like working with a bank/lender from 1980. Outdated technology, minimal ways to pay online, slow customer service, etc- there are so many better options out there. They are way behind on keeping up with modern banking technology, service, and support. I had a $53K HELOC called in do with only 2 months notice. It was a 10 yr HELOC and I personally should have been aware of it's expiration, that was my fault, but banks typically give you at least 6 months notice to provide customers enough time to prepare to pay off the entire loan read more

They have closed many of their satellite offices. Their credit requirements have tightened and they are not as accessible since the economic downturn. I likely will not return to do busness with them again. read more

I have been a member of the Great lakes Credit Union for 30 years. My parents have been members since I was a kid. My parents are now very elderly and my mother has Alzheimers. I have a car loan there as well. These people are the meanest, most arrogant incompetent people I have ever done business with. The CEO didn't return my calls for 2 years. The people I contacted about the problems never followed through. They abuse me and my parents while I try to pay off their credit cards!! A VP by the name of Michael Bogac told me in a letter, as well as customer service reps that I am not allowed to make payments on my mothers VISA. They always post my car payment one day after the deadline so that they can charge the late fee. I have completed experiments with witnesses that prove they do not post for a week after receiving the payment. It took two years to get the coupon book for my car loan!!!!!! I have emails of me asking over and over for it. They refuse to remove late fees even after they could not find the payments They are pathetic and arrogant. I have documented proof of their behavior. I will be filing a complaint with the NCUA and other authorities. I recommend others do the same. These people act like they are the most powerful bank in the country. In reality, they are a small time operation with the ego and ethics of the most ruthless wallstreet bank.I do not know how they stay in business. read more

I've worked with Jose to apply for 2 separate auto loans in the past year. He's nothing but honest, helpful, and professional. He replies promptly to e-mails or phone calls, gives me honest information about rates, what I'm eligible for, how I can get the best deal, etc. He alerted me to ways I can get discounts on my rate (signing up for auto-pay, submitting applications online, etc), too. The rates I qualified for, even though my credit is below average, were outstanding. Other banks had quoted me 2-3 times the rate they were able to offer, and the dealership even told me I couldn't qualify without a co-signer. After I signed my loan paperwork, the dealership received a check within a day. Jose was able to do everything online, which is really convenient. Since then, it's been nothing but smooth sailing. If I ever have a question about my loan, Jose responds to emails within hours. When I call their offices a real human picks up the phone and is able to help me if Jose isn't around. So much easier than dealing with a big bank. I would wholeheartedly recommend you use GLCU and ask for Jose! read more

I've only dealt with GLCU over the phone, as this is through my employers home office...and I'm on the east coast. Each time I've contacted this bank, the associates 'helping' me were quick to inform me that I was wrong and would not even listen to what I was trying to explain. In one case, I had updated my address by calling and the girl told me that I was absolutely wrong. The other case, I thought I had one of those overdraft things in place that withdraw from your savings as long as you have the $$$ to cover the expense. This is what they told me over the phone when I setup my account. Unfortunately the situation occurred, but I did not have that protection in place. I got hit with an overdraft fee, and not sure if that is/was reported to my credit. I called in to ask and see what happened, and they told me I had never set it up. Further more, they would not refund/remove the overdraft from my account as a courtesy, even with me signing up for that protection. This same exact scenario occur ed at my other credit union (they did remove that overdraft from my account). Ultimately I have gone with my other credit union for my car loan, and the people there could not be more friendly/helpful. I now enjoy a GLCU account with 1 dollar going in as direct deposit to maintain the account. I have to look into my credit history and see how much of an impact closing this $h!tty account would cause. If you want a bank where the people are unfriendly and don't listen, and tell you that you are wrong, and talk down to you.....all with a chipper voice, then this is definitely the place for you. read more

I signed up with GLCU 7 years ago in high school and rarely used my account (this was more of a 'back-up' account for me). I recently checked my statement and found a $15 inactive fee as well as a monthly $5 service fee. When I called about these charges this was the explanation: When I originally signed up I was under age 24 and therefore held a youth account that was not subject to those types of fees. Once I hit my 24th birthday (in November 2013) my account switched to a full fledged adult account which is subject to inactivity fees after 12 months of inactivity. She was able to reverse the $5 charge but not the $15 (and according to her no one would be able to reverse it). When I asked when I was notified that my account would be switching over, she told me at the time I opened the account... 7 years ago. Inactivity fees make zero sense to me as I am giving them access to my money longer and at a lower cost to them than if I had put it in a CD. And changing the structure of my account without notice! I'm sorry 17 year old me did not remember this change over was coming. Not to mention, my account in its current 'adult status' was not inactive for 12 months, as it only changed over 3 months ago. While on the call, the representative also felt the need to lecture me on mortgage and car loan interest rates, claiming she could offer better than anyone else (though I told her that was still a ways off for me, I am in grad school). I closed my account. ***EDIT*** I have been waiting for my closed account funds for over a month. Called, and the woman I talked to never closed the account as she told me she would. Hopefully this week I will receive my check and be rid of Great Lakes for good. read more

My first dealings with Great Lakes were in the late 1970s, when I was a Navy wife. Not good. My second interaction happened when my daughter was in the Navy, as a beneficiary on an account. Again, not good- esp. when she was the account holder, yet Great Lakes tried to go after me for their money, as a beneficiary (and yes, I checked to be sure I was not a co-signer). Strike three happened when I needed Illinois banking services in Lake County. I prefer a good credit union or local bank to a mondo-chain bank any time. Fortunately, I am keeping my other credit union, and will be using Consumers as my Lake County choice. I tried to complete an online app for GLCU. The online app stopped short and said it could not complete my application. I called GLCU and asked why. GLCU could not access my credit report from the information I supplied, including my social security number and former address. I went 'round and around through emails with an alleged customer service rep. My call was finally returned some two weeks later. I agreed to review a paper application. I received THAT about ten days later. By then, I decided to explore Consumers, which has a cooperation agreement with my present credit union. Two months later, I received a snail mail letter from GLCU. It claimed I had an account with them, and that they needed to verify my address by sending GLCU a copy of any government for ID verifying my address. I suspected identity theft and contacted GLCU immediately, asking to see the signature card and other paperwork for this account I never opened. Oh. Silly me. GLCU opened a "temporary" account for me, even though I had only requested information and an application. They claimed they would close it immediately. I am following up on that next week, and every month thereafter for six months. Nope. Not gonna put my money there. read more

I only wish I could give Great Lakes negative stars. It is the WORST customer service experience I have ever had. Borrowed from them as a recommendation from the dealer where I bought my car in April 2017. From the beginning it was a disaster. I sent a payment for $10,000 and it was lost. Okay, but they won't let you do anything except a regular payment over the phone. Next two payments (of $5000 and $1000) took weeks to post. When you call you have to go through their "customer service" department for which you will be on hold FOREVER. Asked to speak to a supervisor and was told they were all in meetings (several times-they must spend their lives in meetings). Asked to speak to the VP Installment Loans. She wasn't available. Asked for the president and reached only her assistant's voice mail. Left messages twice. No reply. Finally got so exasperated I paid $125 to originate a new loan elsewhere. I have NEVER dealt with a company that forced you to go through "customer service" and won't let you talk to anyone else. My advice: RUN from these people. read more

I have had an account here since I was a kid. My parents have been there more than 20 years and been consistently pleased. They offer good rates on CDs, car loans and other incentives. Plus, few fees. Open to anyone who lives or works in Lake County. read more

I really liked using GLCU for my last auto loan. They approved me at a lower rate than any big bank and were easy to work with. I've never been into any branch but used affiliate ATMs close to my office. Wonderful people to work with! read more

My wife and I are newly married and looking to get a joint account. We saw the 4% checking account, looked at the requirements, and could meet them easily. Additionally, GLCU did seem to have a strong network of ATM's and affiliate branches, so we would not be losing on ATM accessibility or branch service locations. Therefore, it looked like a good idea. We set up an account, and after a month of providing additional detail, we were approved (the month lag time was my fault, not theirs). However, I mention the time-frame because IN OUR APPROVAL MESSAGE, we were notified that GLCU was changing the rate to 3% and upping the requirements. None of this was mentioned by the numerous people I talked to during this entire process, nor was it available on the website. I understand that rates and requirements change, but IMMEDIATELY upon our approval they changed? To me, that was too big of a coincidence, and seemed to be a predictor of our future treatment. So, we closed our account (to a $25 early termination fee...whatever), and are moving on. I know no banks are perfect, and 3% still is a good rate, especially for checking, but this left a bad taste in our mouths right from the start. read more

Tried to refinance a mortgage on a rental property. After 4 months, they told me I was not approved for the mortgage because I had too many mortgages. I told them how many I had at the very start and asked them if it would be a problem and was told "no" in writing that it would not be an issue. read more

Well, Hawthorne recently became GLCU.....for about a week now I miss Hawthorne more than anyone knows. Hawthorne had me spoiled with the great customer service as far as calling and someone actually picked up the phone rather than waiting in a 25 min queue or whatever. Also the check deposit process was simple and never put me through the ~2 day hold period~ that I am now going thru. I can't put a $500 check in and have only $200 go thru and wait 2 fricking days for the rest to complete, if something goes thru that is higher than the amount they are holding, I will get a huge overdraft fee. I hate when ~banks~ do this.....that's why I joined Hawthorne 13 years ago.........now I will be switching or just put my money under my mattress which seems about the only sane thing to do anymore with banks doing this.......Great Lakes is not considered a Credit Union, in my opinion, they are a BANK read more

I have been banking with GLCU for over 20 years now since I was a kid. I most recently inquired about an auto loan, as I financed my previous car through them with no issues. They indicated my student loans were delinquent (which they were not, and never have been) and they needed to submit for a re-review. They took over 4 days to get back to me, and eventually approved me for a small amount. I chose to go with someone else, but Jodi, the lady working on my loan, was very short and rude as soon as I told her I went with someone else. I began giving her my reasoning and frustrations, as a customer for over 20 years, you would think they would value your feedback, but she immediately interrupted me, did not let me talk and told me to have a nice day. I plan to close all of my accounts with GLCU after this, and will not be a customer there any longer. read more