Deposits are federally insured up to at least $250,000 per individual depositor by the National Credit Union Share Insurance Fund (NCUSIF). The NCUSIF is backed by the full faith and credit of the United States Government. We are conveniently located near 34th and Walnut St. next to Van Pelt Library, Hill College House, and the Engineering School.
Specifically, we are right next to the Starbucks on 34th and Walnut on the 4th floor of the Franklin Building A-Wing. The Student Federal Credit Union at the University of Pennsylvania is an independently operated financial institution, and not part of the University of Pennsylvania.
Specifically, we are right next to the Starbucks on 34th and Walnut on the 4th floor of the Franklin Building A-Wing. The Student Federal Credit Union at the University of Pennsylvania is an independently operated financial institution, and not part of the University of Pennsylvania.
Services
The Student Federal Credit Union (SFCU) is the first and only student-run credit union in the Ivy League, and exclusively serves the community of the University of Pennsylvania. Founded in 1987 by three Wharton MBA students, Kenneth Beck, Steven Feld, and Robert Kaplan, the SFCU has been providing Penn students with secure, efficient, and convenient financial services for over 33 years.
As part of the Allpoint Network, members with checking accounts have access to 43,000 surcharge-free Allpoint ATMs worldwide. Free incoming wires (domestic and international), and fees up to 4 times lower than competitors. In addition to the perks of a regular checking account, Penn students have the ability to open a Quaker Checking account which offers lower fees, a fee safety net for overdrafting and other perks.
Our Visa Debit Card not only gives you access to all SFCU ATMs in addition to ATMs in the Allpoint network. Allpoint is America's largest surcharge-free ATM network, with over 43,000 ATMs worldwide.
If you did not apply for a Visa Debit Card when you opened your SFCU account, but would now like to order one, please visit the Member Services office in the Main Branch, located on 3401 Walnut Street, Suite 431A, or contact a Member Services Representative at (215) 222-2604.There is a $500 maximum withdrawal limit per business day and a $500 charge limit per business day.
If you did not apply for a Visa Debit Card when you opened your SFCU account, but would now like to order one, please visit the Member Services office in the Main Branch, located on 3401 Walnut Street, Suite 431A, or contact a Member Services Representative at (215) 222-2604.There is a $500 maximum withdrawal limit per business day and a $500 charge limit per business day.
The SFCU offers a free online and mobile banking service powered by HomeCU. This secure service allows you to transfer funds between your SFCU Shares and SFCU Checking accounts. You may also view current account balances, loan balances, and up-to-date account histories from the convenience of a personal computer.
Checks can be deposited at our main branch in-person, via mail, or through the SFCU's mobile app. Per our check hold policy, $225 of each check will clear the next business day and the remainder of each check will clear in two business days. Note: mobile check deposits are limited to $1500.
If you wish to deposit a check of more than $1500 but less than $5000 through the mobile app, please reach out to a member support representative and request that we raise your check deposit limit.All members who open an SFCU Checking Account can order personal checks through online banking by selecting "Communications" and then "Order Checks, " or by requesting checks via email, over the phone, or by visiting our Member Services office.
If you wish to deposit a check of more than $1500 but less than $5000 through the mobile app, please reach out to a member support representative and request that we raise your check deposit limit.All members who open an SFCU Checking Account can order personal checks through online banking by selecting "Communications" and then "Order Checks, " or by requesting checks via email, over the phone, or by visiting our Member Services office.
Reviews (16)
Kyaw Min Khant
Oct 01, 2021
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Jasmine S.
Sep 22, 2021
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Highly recommend for UPenn students!!!
The office is so close to campus, making it super convenient to go to. The workers there are super friendly & always trying to help me. I specifically love their credit builder program (they have multiple free promotions!!) that helped me grow my credit score which isn't easy to do as a student.
The office is so close to campus, making it super convenient to go to. The workers there are super friendly & always trying to help me. I specifically love their credit builder program (they have multiple free promotions!!) that helped me grow my credit score which isn't easy to do as a student.
Jessica Gooding
Dec 03, 2020
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Asger Thi
Jan 06, 2020
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Freddy Chang
Oct 17, 2019
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Really convenient banking for Penn students. Yes, it is run by students, but the benefits that you will get include:
1) Very little waiting time. If I need to have an account issue fixed I can walk in and talk to a Member Services Representative immediately. If I need to deposit and withdraw cash, I can walk in and do it immediately. I also bank with TD Bank down the street, and I've waited up to an hour to see a Member Services Representative (even though I actually SCHEDULED an appointment), and the teller lines are always super long.
2) They understand students. If it's a first-time fee or
1) Very little waiting time. If I need to have an account issue fixed I can walk in and talk to a Member Services Representative immediately. If I need to deposit and withdraw cash, I can walk in and do it immediately. I also bank with TD Bank down the street, and I've waited up to an hour to see a Member Services Representative (even though I actually SCHEDULED an appointment), and the teller lines are always super long.
2) They understand students. If it's a first-time fee or
Yosef Robele
Oct 01, 2019
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Had an account with them for almost my entire college career. If you're FGLI and ever at risk of overdrafting than do not use this bank. To provide context. I over drafted once during freshman year. I got the fee reversed and it was fine. My sophmore year I mistakenly thought I had $5 in my account and bought two individual sodas over to nights. This mistake cost me and I was charged with two over draft fees (totaling to $40). The fees may be fine for some but personally they really hurt me my sophmore year when I lost a large part of my check (only made 25-50 a week a this point from work study
Andy N.
Oct 01, 2018
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I have been a very happy client of the UPenn SFCU since my freshman year at Penn. The credit builder products have tremendously helped to improve my FICO score so that I would qualify for premium credit cards with only two years of credit history. I also hold a checking and savings account at the SFCU and I have been very happy with the services I have received. Everytime I come into the office, I am always greeted by smiling and jubilant employees who help me with my transactions.
Unlike other reviews, I have not had any issues with miscounts or inaccurate deposits although once I lost my debit
Unlike other reviews, I have not had any issues with miscounts or inaccurate deposits although once I lost my debit
Saksham M.
Aug 15, 2018
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Rohan Valrani
Jan 28, 2018
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Navin Valrani
Dec 31, 2017
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Freddy C.
Nov 29, 2017
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Shereen C.
Jun 25, 2014
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NEGATIVES:
It's true that the workers here are often not very well informed and will give out the wrong information. They're slow and inefficient at times.
They're also indiscreet and are not sufficiently considerate of customer privacy: They will loudly call out personal information through the glass window with no apparent thought of the other customers waiting right behind me who can overhear.
POSITIVES:
All of that said, SFCU is run by students who seem well intentioned and wanting to help, even though they may not know what they're doing. If they're not sure how
It's true that the workers here are often not very well informed and will give out the wrong information. They're slow and inefficient at times.
They're also indiscreet and are not sufficiently considerate of customer privacy: They will loudly call out personal information through the glass window with no apparent thought of the other customers waiting right behind me who can overhear.
POSITIVES:
All of that said, SFCU is run by students who seem well intentioned and wanting to help, even though they may not know what they're doing. If they're not sure how
Alberto A.
Mar 03, 2014
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Products really catered towards students, which is nice. I absolutely recommend their credit builder program for any incoming freshman. For a one time fee, they set me up with a special loan I never had to worry about that built up my credit score and credit history. When I had to take out student loans the next year, my interest rates were down several percentage points which should save me hundreds over the next few years.
Service also really catered towards students. The ATM in Huntsman Hall is great for all Wharton students that basically live there during midterm and finals week. Website
Service also really catered towards students. The ATM in Huntsman Hall is great for all Wharton students that basically live there during midterm and finals week. Website
Jennifer P.
Feb 03, 2014
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I thought I would open a SFCU account with images of students gaining some meaningful experience related to their future lives and careers. Yet, the inconvenient hours, mistakes -- the SFCU rep mistyped my pin number which prevented me from accessing money, and misadventures outweighed my ideals and I closed my account. I feel guilty but, at the same time, I was getting nervous with who was chaperoning my meager finances.
J. M.
Oct 19, 2012
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I echo that this is the worst organization to ever deal with.
First, ALL the workers are teenage undergrad students. Their policy is that they only hire students, even their "CEO". Therefore, if you have any issues, you will not be able to reach an "adult" or someone in charge. In established banks, you would have a customer service dept and a supervisor to resolve issues. Additionally, since there is quick turnover with students they obviously do not have much experience, care or common sense. They have funnel vision and cannot see the bigger picture
Second, their business
First, ALL the workers are teenage undergrad students. Their policy is that they only hire students, even their "CEO". Therefore, if you have any issues, you will not be able to reach an "adult" or someone in charge. In established banks, you would have a customer service dept and a supervisor to resolve issues. Additionally, since there is quick turnover with students they obviously do not have much experience, care or common sense. They have funnel vision and cannot see the bigger picture
Second, their business
Jessica S.
Jun 23, 2011
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Now, my mama instructed me to open an acct with Penn Credit Union because she recalls that back in the 70s her graduate school's credit union was really helpful in getting low interest loans and being more helpful than other banks with loan consolidation. That may be the case for UPenn Credit Union. I wouldn't know.
I used them for about 11 months and it was a terribly painful situation. There are pretty much no atms. There's even a service charge for getting cash back while making a purchase. EVERYTHING is slow. The online banking is pretty much non-existent. It is updated once
I used them for about 11 months and it was a terribly painful situation. There are pretty much no atms. There's even a service charge for getting cash back while making a purchase. EVERYTHING is slow. The online banking is pretty much non-existent. It is updated once
