Synergy Credit Union - Lloydminster, Saskatchewan

Robyn

Although I don’t personally bank with Synergy Credit Union, my partner does, and their recent experience was quite challenging. My partner has been a loyal member for 15 years. Over the past few years, they have faced significant personal and financial challenges, which have depleted their savings and increased their debt.

Despite reaching out multiple times over the years for a personal loan or line of credit to assist with legal bills for their separation and custody battle, as well as to cover unexpected expenses, Synergy was unable to provide the needed assistance. Even after finalizing their separation and improving their financial situation, Synergy denied their request for consolidating high-interest debt into a more manageable solution.

My partner was informed that due to high credit utilization and a high Total Debt Servicing (TDS) ratio, they couldn’t assist further. When my partner asked what they needed to do to get approved, they were advised to pay off debt to reduce their TDS ratio. My partner then discovered that the advisor was using a two-year average that did not include their current year income, which was significantly higher. Additionally, the advisor did not include CCB income and significantly overstated child support payments. Once these errors were corrected, my partner's TDS ratio was well below what the advisor recommended. My partner further paid down their credit card debt as requested and was assured they would have a solution the next day.

Despite my partner's efforts, Synergy denied the application, citing insufficient collateral or savings, and the fact that they are not willing to consolidate an existing consolidation loan, which is currently half paid off.

This experience has been disappointing and does not seem to align with Synergy's mission of building relationships beyond banking or understanding and meeting distinct needs for prosperity. My partner's loyalty and financial responsibility were overlooked, and their genuine need for support was unmet. They were led to believe that by taking certain actions, they would receive the assistance they needed. Based on this experience, I cannot recommend Synergy Credit Union.

Trevor B.

I’ve been a member for nearly 25 years. Annette Kobsar put a hold on my chequing account in “hopes that it will prompt me” to call her. The hold was removed instantly after a short, brief conversation with a very apologetic member of the contact centre.
All this did was prompt me to close all of my accounts at Synergy and transfer everything over to Servus Credit Union, where I’ve found the latter staff to be professional, knowledgeable and friendly, unlike anything provided ever by the former.

Josh M.

Ashlee is amazing to work with. Happy to partner with her and Synergy to make my project a reality!

Brent B.

Extremely happy with Synergy CU. Their call centre is very responsive. If I've ever had challenges they have always been willing to work with me to find a solution. Cannot say enough good things about them. We are very blessed to have them in our community and trade area.

Mads W.

BANK SOMEWHERE ELSE! I should have read the reviews before going to this bank. I cannot wait to change banks. The lack of empathy is astounding. They will tell you this bank is for the people, I can assure you that’s a lie. The lender that dealt with my account, I hope she has the year she deserves. I called the bank to say my company was having issues with their direct deposit and that my mortgage was coming out the same time. They assured me that my mortgage would go through and be fine as I was going to grab my paycheck and deposit it the next day. It was the LENDER that saw those notes, and still decided to be the worst human being and return the mortgage as well as charging me all these extra fees. This day and age, we need a little compassion. I did have the funds coming. Synergy Credit Union does NOT care about you.

Neana

Synergy Credit Union has horrible customer service. November 23rd 2019, I tried to go in to the bank to get bills in exchange for a bunch of change saved up. As I walked in I was told the change machine was broken by the front desk receptionist. I thanked her for letting me know and asked if there was any possible way the bank tellers could give me bills for the change. All she did was say no and walked away. What bank cannot give out bills for change? And they charge a ridiculous amount for banking fees. I highly recommend going with a bank that gives you, as a client more perks when banking with them. This is just one in many customer service fails.

UPDATE: I know now I was discriminated against. The lady looked at me and saw a native with a bag of coin’s. Not a member who needed help.

Canadian_Marvel_37

SEE UPDATE. I’d give negative stars if I could. Trying to get a pre-approval for a new mortgage and had to talk to 2 different people over 4 separate appointments to get the the full picture of where we are sitting and the last one, they were supposed to call us and forgot and a third person call because our file hadn't been updated. This was after going back and forth of being told one thing then the next time being told the opposite. So I'm still not 100% sure I know everything I need to know. At this point I might just pay the early payment penalty and be done with this terrible excuse for a banking institution.

UPDATE- 8 months later and still trying to sell our house and because the market sucks we’re definitely not going to be able to sell for what we owe. Thankfully we have family that will help pay the difference and the longer the house is on the market the more we pay the mortgage down so it won’t be too bad. BUT Synergy has now given us 2 options to sell 1, involving them with every aspect of the sale including setting listing prices and what offers we will accept or 2, giving the house to CMHC and dealing with their lawyers. This was presented as if it were an ultimatum and we HAD to chose one option. Both option included not having to worry about any difference owing afterwards. They could not give us any info on how this would affect our credit and ability to apply for a new mortgage. We reached out to CMHC and they couldn’t figure out why the bank was telling us alot of this. AS SOON AS I SELL MY HOUSE I WILL NEVER DEAL WITH SYNERGY AGAIN!!! They can never give straight answers or basic information. How they stay in business is beyond comprehension.

Blaine

STAY THE AWAY FROM THIS BANK!!! You go in to get advice and information on finances. Then when you make decisions based on that advice and go back in you get told something completely different and realize that you made bad decisions based on bad advice. No one here can give you a straight answer or knows what they are doing! To the owner, don't bother trying to reply with a number to call trying to "fix the issue." You have done this so many times in the last year that I am done with this mess of a financial institution. I would rather keep my money in an old mattress.