Consumer complaint received 2025-05-18 00:00:00
Product: Credit card — General-purpose credit card or charge card
Issue: Other features, terms, or problems — Other problem
Company: STATE EMPLOYEES CREDIT UNION
State: NC

Complaint narrative:
I am a teacher who was recruited and sponsored by the US government to teach in the US due to a shortage of qualified teachers.

I have full time employment, I am in current legal immigration standing and I am a member of the state employees Credit Union who resides in NC. My application was denied on the following grounds even though I financed my car and my home purchase through the credit union.

Dear Member, We appreciate your interest in our lending products and services. Unfortunately, we are unable to approve your application as submitted. A formal document will be mailed to you explaining our decision. Please reference the letter for contact information and your application ID if you should have any questions.

Based on your current residency status we are not able to offer a line of credit. If you have become a citizen or a permanent resident since XXXX of this year, please let us know. 

Thank you for supporting your Credit Union. 

XXXX XXXX XXXX Loan XXXX XXXX | Contact Center Consumer Lending - Internet This was received on XX/XX/year>. 

I have made several calls to verify the specific requirements as these were not listed in any advertisement or any publicly available information on SECUs website indicating that eligibility requirements include being a citizen or permanent resident of the US. The eligibility requirements only indicate that applicants should be : SECU of North Carolina ( NCSECU ) Membership is open to individuals who meet XXXX of the following criteria : Employees of the State of North Carolina or related entities Federal employees assigned to North Carolina state agencies Employees of North Carolina public boards of education Members of the North Carolina XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX, XXXX, XXXX XXXX, and XXXX XXXX XXXX North Carolina counties Employees of associations formed for the benefit of state employees Employees of agencies or departments whose employees are subject to the North Carolina State Personnel Act Individuals retired from the above employment or service as pensioners and/or annuitants Un-remarried spouses of persons who died while in the field of membership Immediate family of an existing member ( spouse, child, sibling, parent, grandparent, grandchild, stepparent, stepchild, stepsibling, and adoptive relationships ) Persons living in the same residence maintaining a single economic unit with a current member To qualify for a credit card with the North Carolina State Employees ' Credit Union ( SECU ), you must first become a member. Membership is available to individuals who meet specific eligibility criteria, including : Employment : Current or retired employees of the State of North Carolina, federal employees assigned to North Carolina state agencies, employees of public boards of education, members of the North Carolina XXXX XXXX, and employees of XXXX XXXX departments ( e.g., XXXX XXXX, Health, XXXX XXXX, Civil Defense ). 
XXXX XXXX and XXXX : XXXX family members ( spouse, child, sibling, parent, grandparent, grandchild, stepparent, stepchild, stepsibling, and adoptive relationships ) of existing members, as well as individuals living in the same household maintaining a single economic unit with a current member. 
SECU Affiliation : Employees of associations formed for the benefit of state employees in North Carolina. 

This is information from the SECU website. 

Additional information states : Once you meet the eligibility requirements, you can apply for membership by opening a regular share account with a minimum deposit of {$25.00} and providing proof of eligibility. After becoming a member, you can apply for an SECU credit card.

SECU offers various credit card options, including the Visa Classic and Cash Rewards cards. To apply, you must be at least XXXX XXXX XXXX or otherwise eligible for lending services. New lending is limited to residents of North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Tennessee, and Virginia. 

I applied for the visa classic and this is not new lending as I have a car financed through the credit union and I bought a home here in North Carolina with financing through SECU.

I also have a salary advance loan ( which is typically considered an open line of credit, not a closed-end loan ) through the credit union which I have used several times and have relayed on the agreed upon terms.

I don't have any derogatory marks one my credit report and I don't have any late payments nor have I ever had to request any type of payment plans with the credit union.

.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation