Bowater Credit Union Congress Pkwy, Athens

The customer service here is not what it once was. For the longest time they new you by name because it was the same people. Now it’s different people all the time. They’ve had three different loan officers in the last couple of years. You used to be able to call and speak with loans right away, now its phone tag back and forth and leaving messages. The simplest tasks you ask them to do they’ll tell you they can’t do that over the phone or they can’t do that at the window or they can’t do that at all. They hide all of that behind saying “we are trying to protect you”. Which really means we are going to inconvenience you because we are super scared of making a mistake. You used to join a credit union because you were valued as a member. Sadly most credit unions are just banks.

They lost what was going to be a new customer in me. I actually recommended them to my daughter, based on so many good reviews from people around town, and she opened up an account with them...big mistake! My daughter works a lot of hours, so I went to make her CASH DEPOSIT for her as a favor, not having a deposit slip I used her ID and debit card to make the deposit like every other bank we’ve used with no issues for 20 years. Not only did they confiscate the card, she goes to pick it up the following day and they canceled it, reissued it, she goes out of town and the new card declines. So much headache, and issues for nothing!! Honestly if I was going to steal money, I would have taken the cash and bypassed the drive through....but don’t let common sense get in the way. Keep this in mind if you have an elderly family member or someone else who is unable to do their own banking, or can’t leave the house for health reasons etc... they’d be screwed.

Best bank around! Excellent customer service! They will help you with whatever it is you are looking for and it's super easy no matter what you do.

I have nothing but great things to say about this Credit Union. I have been with ORNL,BB@T, Regions and others. It is a very close race as far as worst between BB@T and Regions. Both should be put out of business but for whatever reason they aren't? I haven't had any issues whatever with Bowaters . Great people !!!

Honestly I'll be switching banks. My card hasn't been working for the last 2 to 3 days. I've called the fraud center to see what was wrong and all the purchases were mine they've stated that it could be a bank problem and im just so sick of it. I have money that im not even able to use id rather just switch banks then deal with this hassle any longer.

I am VERY unhappy and currently contacting the main HR manager...My husband and I went through a very bad situation and had no other option but to file bankruptcy. We are out of that and in a better situation now. We went in to ask for a very small loan for a used car & Jamie Rudder didn’t say “sorry we can’t do it.” She treated my husband and I like we were complete trash! How dare we ask for a loan from them when we refuse to pay all our other bills by filing. She didn’t know our situation and doesn’t need to. It took everything I had not to burst into tears right there. She was nothing but rude and insulting to us and she has no idea what we went through to come to the point of filing. I hope she gets fired so she can’t treat anyone else the way she did us. Until then believe me I will make it known how she treated my husband and I for no reason. I will never return to a Bowater Credit Union and I am telling everyone I know not to go there either!!! Sorry woman.

We love banking with BCU! They are always friendly, helpful, & informative! Highly recommend BCU Athens! 10/10 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This is the most rude, judgemental, and wonts to put their noise in other people's business where it don't belong.. If your looking for great customer service this is the most definitely not the place to open a account.

Been with this bank about 7 years now and the staff there is excellent. Love the service. Also they have great programs for kids and teens too teach them about having and maintaining savings and checking accounts.

I filed chapter 7 last year ..2019 .. I had reaffirmed on my house and car ..2020 I wanted to trade in my car for something smaller .. I was ashamed and scared .. and read the reviews of where I bank ..here at bowater credit .. But I broke down got the courage to ask for help ..and Jamie Rudder explained to me that my employment has been stable that I have built my credit back up since bankruptcy and been responsible she will help me and she did ..dont let orjers opinions or fear keep you from asking for help .. Thank jamie so much