“Selected an Excellent Choice Credit Union. Otero Federal Credit Union has faithfully served the counties of Chaves, Eddy, Lincoln, and Otero, New Mexico since 1953"
By: Allan R Kirby
We review Credit Unions:
Mysmallbank.com feels compelled to find the best credit unions and community banks to write a small review. These reviews are to help you learn more about community banks, possibly one that's in your area that you might be interested in. In this review we are choosing the following local Credit Union:
Location: Alamogordo
Headquartered: 1200 E. 10th Street, Alamogordo, New Mexico, 88310-5849
Branches: 6
Year Established: 1953
Review:
Otero Federal Credit Union (OFCU) is an incredible community-based credit union that provides full-service banking to members in the counties of Chaves, Eddy, Lincoln, and Otero, New Mexico. Our decision to name Otero Federal Credit Union, Excellent Choice Credit Union, was based on our own research on reviews, services offered as well as their commitment to their membership and the communities they serve. What we found was a great community credit union that potential members should take a serious look at. We also love the fact that Otero Federal Credit Union has been accredited with the Better Business Bureau (BBB) since April 1989. OFCU currently holds the rating of an A+, the highest rating given to a business.
Otero Federal Credit Union currently has close to $370 million in assets, 6 branches, and nearly 35,000 members. ibanknet. Otero Federal Credit Union got its start on March 5, 1953, and started with account balances of only $1700. The original field of membership included civilian employees of the U.S. Government who worked in Otero County, New Mexico.
"Overall we did not find any serious problems with this Credit Union, they provide excellent service and have a commitment to the community."
To begin, we had to go through a lot of reviews to see how people felt about the credit union. We fully understand that not everyone will get the service they are looking for and will be disappointed with their banking experience. Having said that, we felt that overall this credit union has a high level of satisfaction and appears to be a great credit union for potential members looking for a change. We did not see any systemic problems or concerns with the overall services and products provided by the credit union. Given the number of years in service, the size of the membership, and the small number of complaints, it's clear the vast majority of members enjoy banking at this credit union.
"Otero is highly rated by the credit unions former employees."
What really stood out was the high satisfaction employees who have worked at OFCU. It is clear employees highly value their employment while at the credit union. We know that when employees value their employment it can be reflected in better service for credit union members.
We will now provide you some highlights of specific products and services Otero FCU provides its members as well as their commitment to their community.
Checking Accounts:
When looking at some of Otero Federal Credit Unions services offerings, we found two banking services that we wanted to highlight, which are:
Elite Checking
A minimum deposit of $25 to open
No minimum balance
Monthly statement of account
Overdraft protection available
Free online bill pay
Free debit card
Free e-statements
Free money management
Local discounts and national retailer deals
Cell Phone Protection. Receive up to $600 per claim (up to $1200 a year)
ID Theft Aid that includes: 1B Credit Monitoring, Credit report and credit score, Fraud resolution, $10,000 Personal identity theft benefit
Roadside assistance
$25,000 accidental death coverage
Health Savings Card
Buyer's Protection and Extended Warranty
All for only $5 a month*
The offering is provided by BaZing, please see additional information about BaZing at the bottom of this article.
Essential Checking
Even if you just want a basic checking account, Otero has one for you:
A minimum deposit of $25 to open
No minimum balance
No monthly service fee
Monthly statement of account
Overdraft protection available
Free online bill pay
Free debit card
Free e-statements
Free money management
Checking Switch Kit
Commitment to Community:
Youth Education/Financial Literacy
OFCU is very active to help teach the youth of the community about how to handle, budget, and save their money. As a result, Every Year OFCU does financial literacy presentations to hundreds of students at area high schools. The last round of presentations last year
(October, November, and December months). Staff from OFCU presented budgeting classes to students at Ruidoso High School, Carrizozo High School, and Alamogordo High School. A total of 6 classes, reaching a total of about 250 students.
Scholarships
Otero FCU provides High School seniors at the schools listed below an opportunity to apply for an OFCU $500.00 Scholarship: OFCU awarded $10,000.00 in scholarships to area students in 2019.
Alamogordo HS, Academy Del Sol, Tularosa HS, Ruidoso HS, Cloudcroft HS, Mescalero HS
Capitan HS, Carrizozo HS, Roswell HS, Goddard HS, Hondo HS, Homeschool, Private School
Excellent Choice Credit Union:
With good customer satisfaction, great service, and a deep commitment to their community and youth not to mention their high employee satisfaction rates, it's not hard to see why this is such a great Credit Union. This is why Mysmallbank.com believes Otero FCU is well deserved to receive the designation of Excellent choice, Credit Union [2]. So if you're looking for a great community-based credit union and you live or plan to live in the counties of Chaves, Eddy, Lincoln, and Otero, New Mexico, this could be a great financial institution for you.
Finally, we found that Otero Federal CU is a federally insured credit union through NCUA [1].
Who is Eligible:
As per their website: You are eligible to join OFCU if you fit one of these requirements:
Persons who live, work, worship, or attend school in the counties of Chaves, Eddy, Lincoln, and Otero, New Mexico; spouses of persons who died while within the field of membership of this credit union; employees of this credit union; volunteers within the community, members of their immediate families; and organizations of such persons.
Apply Now to become a member.
The following provides additional information on Otero FCU services, branches as well as hours of operation.
Services Offered:
Full-Service Credit Union: Yes
Routing Number: 312270010
Banking:
Checking
Savings
Money Market
Investments
Money Management
Credit Union Loans:
Vehicle Loans
Share Secured Loans
Signature Loans
Visa Platinum
Mortgages
Student Loans
Business Banking
Checking
Savings
Credit Card: VISA Platinum
Credit Union Online
Online and Mobile Banking: Yes
Otero Federal CU Branch Locations:
Otero County
Main Branch Office
Alamogordo
1200 E. 10th Street
Lobby Hours:
M-F 9 am-5:30 pm
Saturday: 9am - 1pm
Drive-Thru Hours:
M-F 8 am-6 pm
Saturday: 9am-1pm
Phone: 575-434-8500 Fax: 575-434-8515
North Side Branch Office,
Alamogordo
3300 N. White Sands Blvd.
Lobby Hours:
M-F 9 am-5:30 pm
Saturday: 9am - 1pm
Drive-Thru Hours:
M-F 8 am-6 pm
Saturday: 9am-1pm
Phone: 575-434-8500 Fax: 575-443-7050
Holloman AFB Branch Office
Bldg. 786
Lobby Hours:
M-F 8:00am-5:00pm
Drive-Thru Hours:
M-F 8:00 am-5:00 pm
Saturday: Closed
Phone: 575-439-2400 Fax: 575-439-2419
Lincoln County
Ruidoso Branch Office
26086 U.S. Hwy. 70 West
Lobby Hours:
M-F 9 am-5 pm Saturday: 9 am -12 pm
Drive-Thru Hours:
M-F 8:30 am - 5:30 pm
Saturday 9 am - 12 pm
Phone: 575-378-0020 Fax: 575-378-9823
Chaves County
North Main Branch Office
Roswell
2211 N. Main
Lobby Hours:
M-F 9 am- 5:30 pm Saturday: 9 am - 1pm
Drive-Thru Hours:
M-F 8 am-6 pm
Saturday: 9am-1pm
Phone: 575-627-3000 Fax: 575-627-3050
South Main Branch Office
Roswell
1900 South Main
Lobby Hours:
M-F 9 am-5:30 pm
Drive-Thru Hours:
M-F 8 am-6 pm Saturday: Closed
Phone: 575-627-4900 Fax: 575-627-4950
Fee Schedule: Yes
Learn More about BaZing:
What is BaZing?
BaZing is a service that provides a checking account through your local credit union which is designed to provide you services such as:
Identity Theft Protection & Insurance.
Cell Phone & Travel Protection.
Roadside Assistance.
As well BaZing helps customer money with over 300,000 national, regional, and local merchant discounts. They help customers save on vacation, eyeglasses, and many other products and services through their app and online.
What are the Benefits of BaZing?
Wondering what the benefits are with BaZing? You will receive access to many types of benefits both online or with a convenient mobile app:
Identity Theft Protection & Insurance.
Cell Phone & Travel Protection.
Roadside Assistance.
Shopping, Dining & Travel Discounts.
Pharmacy, Vision & Hearing Discounts.
Grocery Coupons.
What is the cost of BaZing?
$4.99 per month to sign up for BaZing. Terms and conditions apply when you sign up and Cell phone protection and personal identity protection are subject to additional terms and conditions.
What is a BaZing fee?
It's the monthly membership fee of $4.99 you pay when you sign up for BaZing to receive their services. Terms and conditions apply when you sign up and Cell phone protection and personal identity protection are subject to additional terms and conditions.
About Community Credit Unions:
Are Community Credit Unions Better vs Banks?
Community Credit Unions are local banks that provide financial services to smaller communities and tend to be better than major banks for several reasons which include:
Better rates on savings accounts and certificates of deposits.
Competitive mortgage rates.
Fees tend to be lower at community banks.
Local deposits are used to make loans to local businesses.
Community Credit Unions tend to have a better understanding of the communities they serve.
Community Credit Unions tend to have a more personalized customer service experience and have higher customer satisfaction rates.
Community Credit Unions provide local jobs and support local charities.
Notes:
1. The National Credit Union Administration (NCUA) is one of two agencies that provide deposit insurance to depositors in U.S. depository institutions. NCUA's standard maximum share insurance amount at $250,000.00.
2. Periodically Mysmallbank.com will name a credit union as a top choice (Top credit union) based on several criteria such as customer and employee reviews, complaints, satisfaction, growth, locations, brand, and social responsibility. We only select the best credit unions, so they must meet minimum standards of excellences (Excellent Choice) to be reviewed by Mysmallbank.com
In Review is a segment of the MySmallBank.com blog written by Allan R Kirby, who writes and produces Personal Finance articles and videos.
Disclosure: mysmallbank.com nor the author received any compensation from the mentioned credit union for this article. The article is our opinion only and is written to help readers learn more about local credit unions.