Telhio

• Member Service
• Variety of Loan Options

Member Service

Credit unions are member-owned financial cooperatives between people who share a common bond, such as an employer, an association or a community group. Members can borrow from pooled deposits at low-interest rates and are entitled to a say in how the credit union is run. In addition, Telhio offers members discounts on a number of restaurants, retailers, auto dealers, insurers and more.

Variety of Loan Options

Telhio's lending department offers a variety of business loans, including:

• Commercial and business real estate loans
• Small business association (SBA) 7a loans
• Small business association (SBA) 504 loans
• Business lines of credit
• Business credit cards

• Must Speak to a Representative
• Regional Institution

Must Speak to a Representative

While Telhio touts great member benefits like low-interest rates and customer service, it is difficult to actually get real numbers without speaking to a representative on the phone (we also tried the "live chat" feature to no avail). Though the most basic information was curated in a quick, four-minute conversation, the nearly 20-minute wait leading up to this is not a mark of speedy or helpful customer service.

Regional Institution

While some prefer the local business service and charm regional credit unions offer, institutions like Telhio are often limited by location-in this case, seven branches in Central Ohio. In addition, many online reviews claim that Telhio's "hands-off approach" in putting the onus on customers-another side effect of regional credit unions-is actually detrimental and often results in little transparency and "hidden" fees.