Are there any good lenders remaining? Where do progressives go for loans?

[adamuu]

I have a couple cards and a few _subsidized_ student loans with Citigroup, and I thought I had a good relationship with the company.

After a recent letter from them and a follow up with customer service, it is apparent that they do not value me as a customer. I am not in default, but my credit card now has the equivalent of the default rate. This insults me, as I have not made the bad decisions that typically give rise to the "death spiral" interest rate. Isn't the federal discount rate near 0 percent right now? Well, this is usury. I'd have to be insane or truly desperate to use this card. This effectively closes off a line of credit they've trusted me with for over 11 years without problems. In fact, I remember in 2005-2008 getting monthly letters begging me to run up the tab at 7%... 6%... 5%.... "just cash these checks"... "write the amount here". "Convenient!" The predictable effect on society has already happened. It's staring us in the face right now.

Taxpayer money is the only reason they exist after Nov 2008. It is not lost on me that the government trusts them with low interest loans and freebie, unwarranted FDIC loan guarantees on crap assets, but they do not trust me, an established, responsible customer, with a line of credit at less than a suicidal interest rate. Remind me, what do I get out of this? Why did we bail them out in the first place? I wish we hadn't -- yesterday it occurred to me that I'd be in the same position either way. I told the cs representative that their bad risk management got them into this position, and I don't deserve to suffer for it. I am certain they would have no sympathy if the roles were reversed.

Here's the catch. I plan to buy my first home within a year. I will need financing. Are there any "good" American banks, or are they all like Citi? Do all banks securitize loans? Where do progressives go for loans? Or am I doomed?

[Flaneur]

1. Try a credit union or old-fashioned local bank.

[dixiegrrrrl]

2. Even local banks might sell mortgages, and you will end up

having BOA or Citi as the mortgage holder.
I do not know if credit unions sell mortgages.
Best to check first.

[rucky]

5. Most local banks do wholesale mortgages.

Some credit unions, too, but you have a better shot at a CU.

[FSogol]

3. Credit Union in my case. Make sure your CU is Federally Insured. Some are not. n/t

[Autumn]

4. Try your Credit Union. I do all

of my banking through them. If I need a loan it takes a five minute phone call.