Avoid - poor service from day one - better options out there
I wanted to find a members owned bank based in WA to transfer our not insubstantial balance to a joint account . Initially I spoke to someone helpful enough - I was to set up a membership and partner likewise. I was forced to use a phone verification - most don't have cameras good at hand held shots of ID. I finally succeeded and partner tried repeatedly via his phone but it rejected his Oz passport before accepting DL if both sides of card done...then it stopped. I phoned - IT told me with no explanation and with ill grace to 'go into a branch' which I cannot do- I asked to speak to a manager and he refused nor did he state his name. He never mentioned as I learnt belatedly that a new members form could be submitted . He in surly fashion inferred it was the phone and took no account of us using identical phones> so not a phone issue , nor did he offer to check if my partners ID was recorded at your end. Indeed he recommended my partner start again knowing this would create a conflict with ID already verified. I phoned yet again and got through to someone dealing with such issues. I had spent a 1 hour and 40 minutes of my morning so far. Half way through she offered to put me 'on hold' whilst she belatedly checked my partners status. I had provided my member no and phone no as well as my partners as he had been sent a link at the onset. She then dropped the call....and didn't bother to call back on either phones ( she had my membership no). I then left three secure messages- all ignored of course.Luckily I had not transferred any money- I recommend anyone reading this to avoid this risk. If they can't offer service to newies, God knows what happens if you have issues as an investor....and I thought commercial banks were bad....