Democracy Federal Credit Union Silver Hill Rd, District Heights

DO NOT BANK HERE! I have never visited this location, however, I am communicating with the staff from the original location in SW DC via the telephone/email. This by far is the most unprofessional staff I have ever had to deal with! Starting with risk management-TeeTee Bestman, the manager Andrea Smith and the credit union’s attorney! Without getting into all my business, this is why I feel this way- here we go! If you are a joint owner (over a decade) and someone files a power of attorney for the owner of the account; they will try and take all access away from the joint owner. They stopped communicating with me and I had to inform them that it was unlawful for them to block me as a joint owner. After sending over 10 emails and 20 calls they finally gave me their attorney’s contact information. I contacted the attorney (took forever to respond) he stated I was not restricted from the account (not true). He contacted the credit union and I had access again; without any notice I was denied access again . I sent an email to the manager Andrea Smith (does not respond in a timely manner), regarding this matter. . Andrea Smith. was unprofessional in her response “LIKE I SAID” who response to a customer like that! I have been hung up on by risk management- TeeTee Bestman: she will give you misleading information and she is unprofessional just like the manager. The staff is taking this matter personally: as a joint owner I have every right to have access to this account. The customers need to know how this credit union handles situations, and I felt compelled to write a review!

AVOID THIS BANK!! Multiple times, I've had payments sent to Democracy deposited into SOMEONE ELSE'S ACCOUNT!! They misplace my money, and then can't tell me where it went when I follow up with them to account for the transactions. When I try contacting them, they never follow up or call back. The only information I kept receiving from them was to call my other financial institution....Democracy is just awful.

The quality of this bank has really gone down hill. The customer service is very lacking. The tellers seem unknowledgeable and not helpful at all. Might as well say let us hold your money without providing any banking services to you.

Zero! This bank is the worse! It is like having a slum-lord in the worse projects in the ghetto.. It offers nothing for their customers. I banked with them for over 30 years and recently, I applied for a $5,000 loan and was denied. I have put hundreds of thousands of dollars over the years, and to be turned down was like a slap in my face. And, like the other customers said, they never return a call. And the ATM needs to be serviced 24 hours a day. It should never run out of money or not be able to take a deposit. In fact, I made a $400 cash deposit and the ATM machine shut off and did not register my money. Needless to say, it took over 2 weeks before my money was returned to my bank account after the investigation. I'm sick of this bank.

This Federal Credit Union is top notch! Jennifer, the Branch Manager is Awesome! Krishawn, the Head Teller is Amazing! Between these two women they will change your life for tje BEST. They helped me consolidate my credit cards and have given me a better quality of life. Thank You, Democracy for these two phenomenal women. Great Job! This branch is GREAT!!!!

DONT TRUST DEMOCRACY CREDIT UNION If your a person that likes confusion and mix ups this is the place for you…honestly haven’t gotten anything done that was discussed and promised 2021 of signing up as a Democracy FCU member. Never received my new title which is resulting in not being able to obtain tags from MVA also Democracy FCU has not processed any paperwork for my vehicle to MVA what soo ever when I call i have to mediate between both institutions and there is nothing showing any record of my vehicle. I pay the note every month in cash at the District Heights MD Branch teller window yet Democracy FCU find ways to “mess up” my account into the negatives and to persuade me into thinking it would make sense even after I printed out bank statements of every month’s car loan payment being withdrawn and deposited into the democracy FCU account . I paid 20$ for the title and still haven’t received it or any helpful updates to my inquiries online via democracy fcu website, on the phone and in person at the District heights MD Branch. It is now April 2022 and you just can’t have peace with this place. Good luck with this institution they are not reputable at all, by far the worst. Democracy FCU admitted they made mistakes in my account manually and still make you pay fees for it when it’s not your fault and you’ve been doing your part to stay on top of things since you’ve signed up and Democracy FCU waited three months into 2022 to make threats about repossession when you have proof in your statements literally printed out showing you did your part in paying the car note every month. I HIGHLY DONT RECOMMEND THIS BRANCH IN DISTRICT HEIGHTS, MD!!!IM DISGUSTED WITH THIS CREDIT UNION!!!! They don’t deserve one star but I will let everyone know how Democracy Operates with their customers!

I want to highlight KRISHAWN FRANKLIN!!!! She is a 5 star Financial Service Specialist!! After about a month of making calls, being transferred to different departments, not receiving responses to voicemails left at the Marlow Heights branch as well as Alexandria, I became exhausted with trying to figure out the issue with my account and have it resolved. I called in one day and got Krishawn. Pleasant, professional and efficient from start to finish. Also, patient with me as I sent emails back and forth to her well beyond the date of the initial call. She responded to me even over the Holidays when I didn’t expect to receive a response. She carefully walked me through each step, explaining every detail, thoroughly reviewed my account( which I did not feel was done prior) and got me to the finish line. This young lady went beyond the call of duty. This is customer service!

Waited over an Hour in drive up and this place allows people to walk up in drive thru after waiting in line while wasting gas disappointing that is why I rate 1 needs to be 0 but can't rate 0 democracy needs a drop off box for people who have their slips filled out and don't need a receipt

I've had an account here for a few years. Recently my account was hacked which isn't their fault but their security is horrible because I had $10 in my account but the hackers were able to withdraw $500 from my account, without my debit card because I had it the whole time. How! exactly and I know there is privilege pay or whatever its called but not $500 of it. When I brought it to the banks attention I had to do all of the work, and there is poor communication so I have to keep following up with them. I don't recommend a credit union that cant take care of your money.

I never have given a bad rating before. This is absolutely absurd that you wait 7-12 minutes 5 times in a row. Only to get simple information, to be told that they can't transfer you to the proper people. Then to be hung up on not once, not twice, 3 times and then not even pick up the phone the forth time because I am absolutely sure they have caller ID and see the same number. So here is my real rating and if I could give a zero I absolutely would, I have encountered poor phone relations before but this antiquated disasterous automated phone system coupled with POOR phone etiquette makes this absolutely the worst bank EVER!!!