360

Credit-Unions · CT

Rating: 4.2/5

360 logo

360 Federal Credit Union is a member-owned, NCUA-insured financial institution founded in 1952, offering savings accounts, credit cards, loans, and investment services to Connecticut members.

Official Website

https://www.360fcu.org

360 Review

360 Federal Credit Union was established on July 1, 1952, originally as Hamilton Standard Federal Credit Union with 3,100 members and $1,038,000 in assets. The credit union expanded beyond its initial Hamilton Standard workplace locations, opening its first off-site branch in Enfield in 1994 and establishing headquarters in Windsor Locks in 1995. By 2008, the organization rebranded to 360 Federal Credit Union to reflect its evolving membership base and service offerings.

Today, the credit union operates multiple branches across Connecticut, including a recent expansion into Clinton and New Haven County.

360 Federal Credit Union offers a comprehensive range of financial products and services including member savings accounts tailored to various savings goals, Visa credit cards with rewards programs, personal and small business loans with competitive rates, and investment services through an Investment Center in partnership with LPL Financial. The institution provides digital banking solutions including online banking, mobile banking through their "Bank Anywhere" platform, and a Virtual Branch for members preferring personalized service with remote convenience. The credit union also offers wealth management advisory services through their Director of Wealth Management, Laura DePergola, MBA.

As a not-for-profit, member-owned institution federally insured by NCUA, 360 Federal Credit Union distinguishes itself through its commitment to community engagement, including charitable initiatives like candy bar sales supporting local and global causes. The organization emphasizes accessibility, with an AudioEye-enabled website and extended hours through their Virtual Branch platform. The credit union actively maintains member security protocols, including fraud alerts and scam prevention communications.

360 Federal Credit Union is best suited for Connecticut residents seeking traditional credit union banking with personalized service, competitive lending rates, and investment options. Members should note that as a regional credit union, membership may be limited to specific employer groups or geographic areas, and the institution's branch network is concentrated in Connecticut. The credit union's services are comprehensive but may not offer the extensive product range of larger national banks.

CFPB Consumer Response Profile

Public-record data from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, 2023-present. Complaint counts alone can reflect company size — the pattern of responses is usually more informative than raw volume. How to read this data →

Complaints on record
105
Recorded response-outcome rate
100%
Timely response rate
99%
Top issue categories
  • · Loan servicing, payments, escrow account
  • · Loan modification,collection,foreclosure
  • · Struggling to pay mortgage

CFPB data last checked 2026-03-21. Source: consumerfinance.gov/data-research/consumer-complaints.

Pros & Cons

Reader-focused summary of the strongest reasons to consider 360 and the factors most worth weighing before contracting. Individual outcomes depend on your credit situation and goals.

Pros

  • Member-owned, not-for-profit structure returns earnings to members rather than shareholders
  • NCUA federal insurance protects deposits and accounts
  • Virtual Branch offers extended hours and personalized banking from anywhere
  • LPL Financial partnership provides professional investment and wealth management services
  • Competitive business lending programs with flexible terms designed for small business needs
  • Recent branch expansion to Clinton and New Haven County increases accessibility
  • Rewards-based Visa credit cards with points on every dollar spent

Areas to Consider

  • !Limited geographic footprint restricted primarily to Connecticut locations
  • !Membership eligibility may be limited by employer affiliation or other field of membership restrictions
  • !Smaller institution with fewer branches compared to national banks and larger credit unions
  • !Limited information provided on website about specific loan rates, APRs, or product terms
  • !No mention of extended digital services like bill pay or mobile check deposit capabilities

Verdict Summary

360 works best for consumers who value member-owned, not-for-profit structure returns earnings to members rather than s and can accept the tradeoff of limited geographic footprint restricted primarily to connecticut locations. Compare against similar providers below before signing any contract.

Services & Features

Services offered

Feature Checklist

Credit Monitoring
All Three Bureaus
Goodwill Letters
Cease Desist Letters
Debt Validation
Credit Education
Identity Theft Protection
Score Tracking
Mobile App
Online Portal
Personal Advisor
Ai Powered

Best For

Before You Contact 360

Before signing up with any Credit Unions provider, review these safeguards:

Compare Your Needs With 360

Match these decision factors against 360's profile before committing. This rubric mirrors what independent consumer-finance research typically checks for Credit Unions providers.

Category

Credit Unions

Service scope

12 services listed

Geographic coverage

CT

Match to your priorities

  • Budget priority: Pricing published above — factor in setup, monthly, and cancellation fees over the full expected service window.
  • Complexity priority: Consider 360's stated strengths (Member-owned, not-for-profit structure returns earnings to members rather than shareholders) against your specific credit situation.
  • Timeline priority: Credit Unions typically takes 3-6 months for meaningful outcomes. Providers guaranteeing overnight results are red flags under federal consumer protection law.
  • Recourse priority: Confirm state licensing via your state regulator and check the CFPB complaint database before contracting.
  • Alternatives: Compare against all Credit Unions providers, DIY options via non-profit counseling agencies, and free CFPB resources.

Pricing

  • Monthly Price: 0
  • Setup Fee: 0
  • Money Back Guarantee: False
  • Guarantee Details:
  • Free Consultation: True
  • Tiers: []
  • Currency: USD

Frequently Asked Questions

What services does 360 offer?

360 offers 12 services including Member savings accounts with options for various savings goals, Visa credit cards with rewards programs, Personal loans with competitive rates, Small business loans and business lending, Online banking platform, and 7 more. Confirm current service list directly with the provider before contracting.

Who is 360 best suited for?

360's profile signals suggest it may fit: Connecticut residents employed by Hamilton Standard or eligible employer groups seeking personalized banking; Small business owners in Connecticut looking for competitive business loans and flexible lending terms; Members prioritizing community-focused financial institutions with commitment to charitable giving; Savers and investors seeking wealth management advice and investment planning from credit union advisors. Individual outcomes vary based on your specific situation.

What are the strengths and weaknesses of 360?

Key strengths: Member-owned, not-for-profit structure returns earnings to members rather than shareholders; NCUA federal insurance protects deposits and accounts; Virtual Branch offers extended hours and personalized banking from anywhere. Areas to consider: Limited geographic footprint restricted primarily to Connecticut locations; Membership eligibility may be limited by employer affiliation or other field of membership restrictions.

How does 360 compare to similar companies?

In the Credit Unions category, comparable providers include Navy Federal Credit Union, Security Service Federal Credit Union, 1199 SEIU Federal CU. Each company has different strengths, so compare services, pricing, and consumer complaint records before deciding what to do next.

How much does 360 cost?

Listed pricing for 360: monthly price: 0; setup fee: 0; money back guarantee: False. Pricing may change — verify current fees directly with the provider before signing any contract.

Visit 360

State Consumer Finance Context

This is state-level context for Credit Unions consumers in Connecticut. It does not confirm that 360 or this specific location is licensed.

State regulator: Connecticut Department of Banking
Consumer protection: Connecticut Attorney General Consumer Protection

Credit and debt help rules in Connecticut

Key state rules to check

Payday lending in Connecticut: Banned

Usury cap: 12% general usury cap; payday lending banned

Complaint resources

State references

Connecticut bans payday lending entirely and maintains a 12% general usury cap. The Department of Banking actively regulates consumer lenders and enforces licensing requirements. Consumers have robust protections under the Unfair Trade Practices Act and can file complaints with either the Department of Banking or the Attorney General.

Similar Companies

Comparable Credit Unions providers with similar service scope. Ratings reflect stored review context; verify current licensing and pricing directly before contracting.

Navy Federal Credit Union logo

Navy Federal Credit Union

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Security Service Federal Credit Union logo

Security Service Federal Credit Union

Security Service FCU is a San Antonio-based federal credit union founded 1956 with $13B+ in assets. NCUA insured. 70+ branches in TX, CO, UT. BBB A+ accredit...

Rating 4.6/5

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Notable: Federally insured credit union with NCUA backing provides deposit safety up to $250,000

1199 SEIU Federal CU logo

1199 SEIU Federal CU

I AM Federal Credit Union (formerly 1199 SEIU FCU) is a member-owned credit union offering checking, savings, CDs, mortgages, and digital banking services wi...

Rating 4.1/5

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Notable: Fee-free ATM access at all Citibank ATMs through Citi ATM Community Network partnership

1st Choice Credit Union logo

1st Choice Credit Union

1st Choice Credit Union offers checking, savings, loans, and credit cards to members. Routing #261072770; online banking and mobile access available 24/7.

Rating 4.1/5

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Notable: Auto loans as low as 6.50% APR for 60 months on new vehicles

1

1st United

1st United Credit Union is a member-owned, not-for-profit financial institution serving the San Francisco Bay Area with competitive rates on loans, savings a...

Rating 4.2/5

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Notable: NCUA-insured deposits with member protection up to federal limits

3Hill Credit Union logo

3Hill Credit Union

3Hill Credit Union is a member-owned financial institution offering checking, savings, loans, mortgages, and credit cards with a focus on community impact an...

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Notable: Access to 30,000+ surcharge-free ATMs nationwide through CO-OP Network membership

A+ Federal Credit Union logo

A+ Federal Credit Union

Texas-based federal credit union offering checking, savings, auto loans, mortgages, and home equity products with a mobile-first approach and member-focused ...

Rating 4.5/5

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Notable: Award-winning mobile app rated #1 Mobile Banking App of 2025 in North America

A

A.b.

AB Federal Credit Union is a member-owned credit union offering real-time home banking, personal loans, and fund transfer services with multiple security levels.

Rating 4.2/5

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Notable: Real-time online home banking platform for account management

Quick Summary

360 — Credit Unions in CT.

Overall rating: 4.2/5

360 Federal Credit Union is a member-owned, NCUA-insured financial institution founded in 1952, offering savings accounts, credit cards, loans, and investment services to Connecticut members.

Next Steps

  1. Compare 360 against similar options above.
  2. Run our borrowing power quiz to see how 360 matches your situation.
  3. Check state regulator listings for 360's licensing before committing.
  4. Visit 360 once you're ready.

Glossary of Terms

Common terms that come up when comparing Credit Unions providers. Full glossary at creditdoc.co/glossary/.

Amortization — Loan Amortization
The process of paying off a loan through regular payments that cover both principal and interest. Early payments are mostly interest; later payments are mostly principal.
Why it matters: Understanding amortization explains why paying extra early in a loan saves the most money — you're reducing the principal that interest is calculated on.
Example: Month 1 of a $200,000 mortgage at 6%: your $1,199 payment splits as $1,000 interest + $199 principal. By month 300: only $47 goes to interest and $1,152 goes to principal.
Balloon Payment
A large lump-sum payment due at the end of a loan, after a period of smaller monthly payments. The loan isn't fully paid off by the regular payments — the balloon settles it.
Why it matters: Balloon payments make monthly payments look affordable but create a financial cliff. If you can't pay or refinance at the end, you could lose your home or asset.
Example: A 5-year balloon mortgage on $200,000: you pay $1,054/month (as if it were a 30-year loan), but after 5 years you owe a balloon of $186,108 all at once.
Collateral — Loan Collateral
An asset you pledge to the lender as security for a loan. If you stop paying, the lender can seize and sell that asset to recover their money.
Why it matters: Secured loans (with collateral) have lower interest rates because the lender has less risk. But you could lose your home, car, or savings if you default.
Example: A mortgage uses your house as collateral. A car loan uses your vehicle. A title loan uses your car title. If you miss payments, the lender can foreclose or repossess.
Cosigner — Loan Cosigner
A person who agrees to repay your loan if you can't. They're equally responsible for the debt, and their credit is affected by your payment behavior.
Why it matters: Cosigning helps people with thin credit get approved or get better rates. But it's a huge risk for the cosigner — they're on the hook for the full amount if you default.
Example: A parent cosigns their child's $30,000 student loan. The child stops paying after 6 months. The parent is now legally required to make the payments or face collections, lawsuits, and credit damage.
Credit Bureau — Credit Reporting Agency (Bureau)
A company that collects and sells information about your credit history. The three major bureaus are Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion.
Why it matters: Not all lenders report to all three bureaus, so your reports may differ. You should check all three reports because an error on one could be costing you money.
Example: Your car loan only reports to Equifax and TransUnion. Your Experian report doesn't show that good payment history, so your Experian score is 15 points lower.
Credit Freeze — Security Freeze / Credit Freeze
A free tool that locks your credit report so no one (including you) can open new accounts until you lift it. It's the strongest protection against identity theft.
Why it matters: A credit freeze prevents criminals from opening loans in your name, even if they have your Social Security number. It's free by law and doesn't affect your credit score.
Example: Your data was in a breach. You freeze your credit at all 3 bureaus (takes 10 minutes online). A thief tries to open a credit card in your name — denied because the lender can't pull your frozen report.
Credit Mix — Credit Mix (Types of Credit)
The variety of credit accounts you have — credit cards (revolving), auto loans (installment), mortgage, student loans, etc. Having multiple types shows you can manage different kinds of debt.
Why it matters: Credit mix accounts for about 10% of your FICO score. Having only credit cards isn't as strong as having a card, an installment loan, and a mortgage.
Example: Borrower A has 3 credit cards. Borrower B has 2 credit cards, a car loan, and a student loan. Even with the same payment history and utilization, Borrower B's score is typically higher.
Credit Report — Consumer Credit Report
A detailed record of your borrowing history maintained by credit bureaus. It lists every loan, credit card, payment history, collection, and public record tied to your name.
Why it matters: Errors on credit reports are common — 1 in 5 consumers has at least one mistake. Checking your report regularly is the first step to fixing errors that are costing you money.
Example: You pull your free report from AnnualCreditReport.com and find a $2,400 medical collection you already paid. You dispute it, the bureau verifies it's resolved, and your score goes up 40 points.
Credit Score
A 3-digit number (300-850) that summarizes how reliably you've handled borrowed money. Higher scores mean lower risk to lenders and better loan terms for you.
Why it matters: Your credit score determines whether you get approved and at what rate. A 100-point difference can mean thousands of dollars more or less in interest over a loan's life.
Example: On a $250,000 30-year mortgage: a 760 score gets you 6.2% ($1,536/month). A 660 score gets 7.4% ($1,729/month). Over 30 years, the lower score costs you $69,480 more.
Credit Utilization — Credit Utilization Ratio
The percentage of your available credit that you're currently using. If you have $10,000 in credit limits and owe $3,000, your utilization is 30%.
Why it matters: Utilization is the second-biggest factor in your credit score (after payment history). Keeping it below 30% helps your score; below 10% is ideal.
Example: You have 3 cards with a $15,000 total limit. You're carrying $4,500 in balances (30% utilization). Paying down to $1,500 (10% utilization) could boost your score by 20-50 points.
Default — Loan Default
When you fail to repay a loan according to the agreed terms — usually after 90-180 days of missed payments. It's the point where the lender gives up on collecting normally.
Why it matters: Default triggers severe consequences: credit score drops 100+ points, the debt may be sent to collections, you could be sued, and your wages or assets could be seized.
Example: You miss 4 consecutive car payments. The lender declares your loan in default, repossesses your car, sells it at auction for $8,000, and you still owe the remaining $5,000 (called a deficiency balance).
FICO Score — Fair Isaac Corporation Score
The most widely used credit scoring model, created by Fair Isaac Corporation. 90% of top lenders use FICO scores for lending decisions.
Why it matters: FICO has many versions (FICO 8, 9, 10). Mortgage lenders still use older versions (FICO 2, 4, 5), so your mortgage score may differ from what free apps show you.
Example: Your FICO 8 score (used for credit cards) is 740. Your FICO 5 score (used for mortgages) is 725 because it weighs collections differently. Same credit history, different scores.
Hard Inquiry — Hard Credit Inquiry (Hard Pull)
When a lender checks your credit report because you've applied for credit. Each hard inquiry can lower your score by 5-10 points and stays on your report for 2 years.
Why it matters: Multiple hard inquiries in a short period suggest you're desperately seeking credit, which is a red flag. Exception: mortgage and auto loan shopping within 14-45 days counts as one inquiry.
Example: You apply for 5 credit cards in one month. Each application triggers a hard inquiry. Your score drops 25-50 points from the inquiries alone, making each subsequent application harder.
Loan Term (Tenor) — Loan Term / Tenor
How long you have to repay the loan, measured in months or years. A shorter term means higher monthly payments but less total interest paid.
Why it matters: Longer terms feel more affordable monthly but cost much more overall. A 30-year mortgage costs almost double in interest compared to a 15-year mortgage on the same amount.
Example: Borrowing $200,000 at 6.5%: A 15-year term costs $1,742/month ($113,561 total interest). A 30-year term costs $1,264/month ($255,088 total interest). You save $141,527 with the shorter term.
Origination Fee — Loan Origination Fee
A one-time fee the lender charges to process and set up your loan. It covers their costs for underwriting, verifying your information, and preparing paperwork.
Why it matters: Origination fees are usually 1-8% of the loan amount and are often deducted from your loan proceeds — so you receive less than you borrowed.
Example: You're approved for a $10,000 personal loan with a 5% origination fee. The lender deducts $500 upfront, so you receive $9,500 in your bank account but owe $10,000 plus interest.