Credit Union, East Bay branch preferred

I've been very happy with Provident Credit Union and its customer service. I know they have a branch in Alameda; I'm not sure where else in the East Bay. If you work in SF, they also have a couple of branches near the Financial District. You can use ATMs without a fee at any of the partner credit unions, and if you get the Super Reward Checking and meet the requirements every month, they'll refund any fees you incur at non-network ATMs. I don't have a savings account there, but the dividends paid on the Super Reward Checking account are fantastic (I typically get a dividend of between $30-40 each month). 

We are longtime Patelco customers and have had minimal problems with their customer service over the years--I actually think it's one of their assets. When there have been issues, it's usually been around younger staff learning how to do things (e.g., accidentally opening up duplicate accounts), and they've always been very gracious about fixing it. My main issue with Patelco is that their online interface leaves much to be desired (despite a series of recent updates). But it's usable, and I rarely have to go into a branch or call them. I also use Provident Credit Union for business and am happy with them, too, although they are more limited in what you can do online (despite, ironically, having a much better interface for this!) But their nearest branch is in Alameda, which is a pain. Both credit unions have good rates on savings (2-3%) if you have the right accounts. We belonged to USE in the past and did not have a good experience with them--they just kept making errors and while they'd cheerfully fix them, I'd have to call every other month, and was over it before too long.

I have not met a Credit Union that I did not like, and I am a member of three of them. My current favorite is First United Services Credit Union, which began in the basement of the Alameda county Courthouse for county employees, and has since expanded to branches near the Berkeley YMCA and by the Rockridge Safeway, as well as the courthouse. I have my mortgage with 1st USE, and have recommended others who like it fine. My second favorite is USE Credit Union with its branch on Shattuck near the Staples store, which makes a convenient place to park, especially if you need paper or pens. My oldest, but now last, credit union is sadly, the Cooperative Credit Union, the last dying vestige of the once thriving and popular Consumer Coop movement of the idealistic times.

Hi, another long term, satisfied Patelco member here. I can sometimes find the website “quirky”, but they’ve been working on it, and are very open to suggestions. (The fixes/changes don’t happen overnight, of course, but they’re usually done). I’ve also found a recent bad CS experience due to a new staff member (who, IMHO, they would have been better off not hiring for customer service...), but the supervisor took the time to call me and make sure my concerns were heard and the issue(s) resolved. Quite satisfied, overall, and they have a downtown Berkeley branch. 

We have been with Patelco for seven years and have not had a problem. We just got a mortgage with them. I have only had to visit a branch a couple times. Their online banking does everything I need it to do. There are plenty of free ATMs. 

I am a credit union aficionado, with accounts at six of them, each for a different reason.

Given your criteria, try Patelco.  They have a newly remodeled branch in downtown Berkeley.  Their Money Market Select account is very attractive for balances up to $5K.  If you're willing to go to uptown Oakland, Alliant CU is one of the largest credit unions in the country, and has great deals on checking, savings, and loans.

Most credit unions are members of the Co-Op network, which enables no-fee ATM use around the country.  In many cases, you can use such ATMs to make deposits, in addition to cash withdrawals.  As a result, I rarely have to go to any particular branch, though on occasion it is nice to have a helpful human.

Patelco is great - I've used their Berkeley branch in person roughly monthly for years and never had any complaints. Now I use their SF financial district branch weekly at least, and the staff there are so friendly, they've even made the effort to learn my name and introduce themselves by name.  I really enjoy stopping in.