Opportunities Credit Union

I sought consultation at OCU for some advice on improving my credit, loan consolidation as well as to discuss first time home buying options. I have to say, Jon G. knows like everything there is to know about what programs there are, tips on improving credit and is patient and understanding and made sure I fully understood the process. I'm not located in their area so he even took the time to call a credit union local to me to find out their rates and it turned out their rates were actually terrible!

I would absolutely recommend this credit union to anyone looking for a mortgage and/or for advice on loans and improving their credit in the Burlington area and beyond. Especially if you are going to be working with Jon G.

Great credit union doing great work for Vermonters, especially those that can't get help from the bigger banks. Take a look to see if they can help you!

Don't trust these vultures with any personal financial information if you are seeking help with refinancing, a loan modification, or if you need help of any kind with re-structuring your current mortgage to get more affordable loan payments.

I was referred to the CU, specifically Andrea Heller, by VT Legal Aid for possible assistance with the latter listed above. She is supposedly a specialist who helps people restructure debt and analyzes whether or not the CU could offer a mortgage refinance. When I discussed my current situation with her, I explained that I have a variable interest rate on my mortgage debt that is due to go up 1 point for each of the next 2 years. I explained that this could make my monthly payments more than I could afford with my current income. I also explained how I was attached to my house because of how unique it was, similar to a beach house, that I put a lot of work into. This was a mistake because I think it piqued her interest in my home a bit too much. The first thing she suggested I do was that I sign up for public housing. Yeah - she's a real charmer.

I shook off that comment in the hope that she might be able to help me navigate this situation. The only thing she seemed interested in was what I thought the value of the house was and how much equity I had in it. I told her I didn't know. Then I was told to provide her all of the information I had from the bank regarding the current loan. I trusted her with this information and provided her every detail, including my income, via email.

After she received it she sent me a one sentence response, wanting to know how much the CURRENT property tax bill was. I haven't paid the full amount of tax the town assesses in YEARS because I get a homestead declaration rebate that reduces the amount to what I provided to her - which is rolled into my escrow/monthly payment. After I gave her the amount, SHE DIDN'T REPLY AT ALL.

I started to get the impression after this that she was interested in the house for herself. She cared NOTHING about trying to help me and judging by the way she treated me, she felt as though there was no risk involved in making that apparent. After a few weeks sent her an email telling her what I thought of her 'help.' She didn't bother to respond to that either. No skin off of her back. She's just a vulture in sheep's clothing.

I called the president of the CU to complain about this encounter. She claimed to know nothing about what could be done to help me. She fully expected me to continue 'working' with Andrea, even after I told her she didn't help me AT ALL. I made it clear that I was suspicious of Ms. Heller's motives, which she had no answer for, since totally dropping it made it clear that there was a reason for her odd behavior. All she offered to do was speak to Ms. Heller about her 'bedside manner.' What a joke! These people are a bunch of amateurs. All she wanted to know is if there was a 'rental unit' in my home and who my mortgage company was. Here we go again!

These people are a bunch of unsavory characters that have no business working in any 'helping' profession. They know nothing about mortgages in general and probably don't handle more than a dozen a year. Don't trust them with your personal information. There are more reliable sources of help like Greenpath for anyone in need of mortgage assistance or debt restructuring.

I have had a great experience with them. Jon Brooks has been very helpful figuring out things and anytime I need help he responds immediately. Thank you

I've been a member for a year. Have had numerous unreturned phone calls and emails. I took out an auto loan. Will not continue my business here. Jon Goff is incredibly unprofessional including lying on the phone to my creditors etc. John Brooks as well has ignored my request for a return phone call. Stay away if you know what's best. Very unprofessional and unreliable.

We had heard that OCU specialized in first time home purchase mortgages, so we specifically sought them out.
Our experience with them has been terrible. Their loan officer (Tim Carpenter) rarely responds to our inquiries and doesn't seem to know any of the specific details about what programs are available.
Overall I would not recommend going through this bank for your mortgage.

The absolute worst organization of any kind, I have ever dealt with. We had a small loan, for an insulating project on a rental property. I had been making the loan payment ($89 per month ) regularly, when I received a call, saying they didn't know what account to credit. This was odd, as there was a payment slip ( from a booklet provided ) in each payment. After a couple more months , I received the same call. I asked where this money had been going, and was told to wait until they figured it out. I heard nothing for several months, only to find I had been reported to a credit agency as delinquent. This is where the real problems started. They said they had tried to contacted me multiple times ( via phone and mail ) They had not. When I told them I had relieved no contact, they called me a liar. Over and over. I asked for copies and dates of alleged letters, only to be told, I was lying about not receiving anything. No amount of time and energy on my part helped, I was always redirected to the same employee, who would again tell me I was lying. This was the only blemish on my credit report. 3 mortgages, taxes, credit cards, utilities. I pay my bills in full, on time. Horrible experience. Several years ago, but I will never forget it.

I have had an e-checking account with OCU for about a year. A few weeks ago I changed it to a regular checking. I have been waiting for the checks to come. No checks, it has been 3 weeks. I called to find out that they were never ordered. So, I reordered them again! The person that switched the account for me, never sent in the order. So, rent coming up and no checks. Not real convenient. Let's hope they come this time!