Just me with another question! As we prepare for our move, I feel a little wiggy about using a Villages-owned bank. But it sure would be convenient—anyone else struggle with this decision?

[rjm1cc]

I would say who cares who owns the bank. It has to follow the same rules as all other banks.
Consider keeping your current bank and use your phone for deposits and the ATM for getting cash. Of course I would be sure my bank, and it does, picks up the other banks fee.

[Velvet]

My family has used Citizens First Bank since the early nineties. I, myself, have since 2019. Very happy with the bank. In some ways it’s closer to a trust company than a regular bank in terms of what they do. They also have ATMs around the neighborhood pools which is very handy for cash etc. I love the service.

[Arctic Fox]

Originally Posted by mskaggs

Just me with another question! As we prepare for our move, I feel a little wiggy about using a Villages-owned bank. But it sure would be convenient—anyone else struggle with this decision?

Always been very happy with Citizens First.

Are they owned by The Villages? I thought they were just the only bank asked (in the early days) who agreed to operate here, so got the job.

[Toymeister]

There are several credit unions to choose from, most with excellent service.

The Villages has a number of data points on you or the potential to consolidate them. Such as how many TV homes that you own/have owned, water consumption, your golfing/recreation preferences. Many things that you tell a TV sales agent are recorded in the proprietary marketing database. Does the bank share data with it's business 'partners' probably. Is it the same data base, who knows. Does it matter?, Perhaps.

I use a credit union, call me concerned about privacy.

[Stu from NYC]

When we moved here last year visited with Citizens and they gave me their rates.

Found we had a much better deal with our Va bank so stayed with them. Also local credit unions did better.

[villagetinker]

I have found them to be very helpful and convenient, have been with them since 2013, and in 2013 I got a really good rate on the mortgage. I did find CBT had a better rate when I went for a home equity loan, but they were having a big promotion at the time, saved around $600. Also, lots of ATMs and branches.

[Altavia]

As others have said, very convenient and great service.

They are behind From a technology standpoint.

You can do better on savings interest rates else where.

[DAVES]

Originally Posted by mskaggs

Just me with another question! As we prepare for our move, I feel a little wiggy about using a Villages-owned bank. But it sure would be convenient—anyone else struggle with this decision?

Who owns what? It is interesting. Ford owns Jaguar. Fiat owns Chrysler and Peugeot, Pfizer
corona vaccines is owned by Germany, China, and the US. I think there is a fourth one Japan perhaps.

Our mortgage is with Citizens First. We had another bank, promises, promises. They approved the loan weeks after we closed with a loan from Citizens First. Aside we have a top credit score.

I think of this place as a company town. All the complaining- a horror would be if the inmates were running this place.

This place is well run. The reason we chose to live here and the reason why you want to live here. Perfect-it is not. In reality perfection is a figment of imagination.

[DAVES]

Originally Posted by Toymeister

There are several credit unions to choose from, most with excellent service.

The Villages has a number of data points on you or the potential to consolidate them. Such as how many TV homes that you own/have owned, water consumption, your golfing/recreation preferences. Many things that you tell a TV sales agent are recorded in the proprietary marketing database. Does the bank share data with it's business 'partners' probably. Is it the same data base, who knows. Does it matter?, Perhaps.

I use a credit union, call me concerned about privacy.

Privacy? It is long gone. Look yourself up on the internet. Amusing, I filled out some kind of form. I never give correct information. Spokeo for a long time showed my age as well over 100 with more money than Gates, and Buffet combined. I think my aunt who is living in assisted living corrected the information as in terms of people I know she is the only one listed. I would not tell her but she has my age and my birthday wrong.

[Garywt]

Our mortgage is with Citizens First and insurance is with The Villages Insurance Co. Just the easiest to do at the time. Had to close within 30 days.

[Polar Bear]

Been happy with Citizens since we moved here. The people, services and technology meet our requirements.

[EdFNJ]

I figured I'd switch from Wells Fargo who I'd been with through probably 40 years in all their different incarnations of banks over to Citizen's a year or so ago because they were local with many branches. At the time I wanted to mess around a very little bit with Bitcoin. Wanted to buy $100 worth. I tried to buy bitcoin with their debit card from a major wallet provider and it was rejected. I called them and we conferenced with their debit card provider and they rejected it because "it was too risky." The wallet provider was and still is one of the top 3 in the world. This was a DEBIT card not CREDIT card purchase they rejected. It's my money and my $100 risk and it really p1ssed me off. WF and BOA never had a problem so I pulled out my money after 3 weeks and stuck with WF and BOA.

Other than that the employees were friendly and there is a branch every 3 blocks. Just annoyed me how they could tell me how I could or could not risk MY $100. It's been a year and maybe they changed their tune.

[Cobh521]

You do not have to use Citizens to close on a home. You can bring a cashiers check to closing. That is what we did. We did not want to open another account. I actually do not trust Citizens bank. They are not up to date on their technology and at times you are unable to use their debit card due to technical errors in the middle of a purchase.

[wachteldepew]

Citizens First Bank is probably one of the best financial institutions we’ve ever dealt with. You should have no hesitations if considering using them.