First Ontario CU 3.25% for 120 day term deposit | GIC discussions | Discussion forum

Nephets: "Problem is they require a personal visit at a branch (Western and Southern Ontario) to open an account."

I was able to do this online on their website. Some of their questions in the application look strange as for example the one asking for the expiry date of your citizenship card. But I was able to get around that. My cheque for $25.00 required deposit is in the regular mail. Since I was able to go so far (with the option of sending a cheque) I conclude that my online application was accepted.

Here is the website where you can start to apply:

https://beamember.firstontario.com/becomeamember

No personal experience here, but I happened across a website where people report on their experiences working for various employers.
My overall impression was that the experiences were on the negative side at First Ontario as compared with, say, Meridian. I think it's fair to suggest that happy employees make for happy customers.

I think I could hold my nose if necessary for 4 months but would not feel relaxed until I'd successfully extracted my money with interest intact.

FYI, my research shows that the Hamilton branch at 1 James has a CIBC branch across the road. When anticipating large payouts via draft, I prefer to know there is somewhere I can deposit it immediately, so there is no risk of loss or of the recipient saying "what's this?" or "never heard of them". (I've had two occasions in the last couple of years where TD bank staff were hesitant to cash my newly issued bank drafts and took their time about it - one came from Scotia and one from HSBC. It was as if they'd never seen one before. I don't understand this, but that's what happened.)

Personally, I would not apply online even if I could. No telling how long it might take them to get back to you with another request before you were approved. By the time all that was done, the offer might be over!

I called a FirstOntarioCU branch to make an appointment to become a member and to open the account. The “Member Consultant” Brandon Gironde at the Kerr Street, Oakville branch was professional and task oriented. I had a pleasant experience.