Los Angeles Federal Credit Union

Not much to write home about. I have been banking with them for years. the have the usual flavors of services you get from any bank/​credit union: Online banking, credit card, etc. The Good: online the feature that enables you to transfer between accounts. Most credit unions, unless they are large, don’t have that feature.
The bad: Locations suck, they DO NOT offer co-​opt banking!
Also, for me, what sucked was they blocked me out of using their interbank transfers for a year because I twice made a mistake and had money transfer from a bank with the balance too low. It was an ongoing transfer and I just plum forgot about it and didn’t cancel it before it happened. So I was «punished.» Kinda stupid rule. So since the only feature they had, was not available, I am ditching them altogether. I true to make them give me a break but egads, rules are rules! They are a bloody Credit Union run by the members not some anonymous bank like BofA.
The people who work there are nice enough, though. I bank with a credit union closer to where I live now.

After reading Derek W.‘s review below, I realized that I didn’t really need to get into the details of our experience because it was almost identical to his down to the specific details. I have had a personal credit union account (based in another state) since just before college, which has been a 100% positive experience. We had to cancel our LAFCU account because they’re unprofessionalism had the potential to effect our customers and our relationships with them. The simplest description I can use for them is know the feeling you get when you walk into the DMV? You get the same feeling walking into their DTLA office. Bummer

I came in here in Dec 2015 to refinance my vehicle, I compared different rates including my bank. La credit union gave me the best possible deal. I was very pleased on how the process went and Joseph was very helpful and explain every option I had available.

Guillerma Usher, is a veteran employee at the credit union. I have had the pleasure and have been so fortunate to be the beneficiary of her wonderful caring service for close to 20 years. Every time I need something she is there to assist. I am so lucky to be a member of a financial institution that cares about its members and hires people with those same goals in mind to help foster its mission. Guillerma never fails she is the best
!!!

I got here just in time with less than 10 minutes before closing and Ms. Ford was amazing in issuing me a new card and handling my transactions and questions. The staff were very pleasant and friendly despite me getting there at the last moments. I highly recommend coming to this branch and they cover validation for parking as well which is a huge plus!

I started an new business and, with some research, decided that LA Federal Credit Union looked pretty good. A friend was doing the same, and suggested it. (fairly sure his decision was based on APR alone.)
Their website was very confusing and while trying to use their application ‘app’ — I was eventually led to the suggestion to just come in and discuss it, which actually seemed kinda classy.
I drove to the Downtown location and parked in the garage. I brought as much personal info as I could, because I couldn’t see anything on their site to suggest what I might need. I had never been to the business Mall that it is a part of. I went up an escalator and when I arrived in the plaza it smelled like a urinal and that general smell of months without a shower. Oh well. So it’s not a shiny new place that shuns the homeless, that’s fine. I found a map of the building (rare these days) — Made my way to the credit union. A cheerful security guard opened the door and we exchanged hellos.
I walked up to what seemed like a main desk. I said «Hello, I would like to talk to someone about a business account.» A lifeless mound of flesh delivered the words, «what’s the account number.» I said — well, I do not have an account. I would like to talk to someone about possibly opening an account. She asked for my ID — while making it apparent that, just reaching out for the card was more effort than they had planned on giving. As if she were trying to burst my bubble, she asked — «Is this your current address.» I explained that I had just moved and have not received my new Drivers license yet. She said I needed a utility bill, and I began to explain that my Girlfriend and I had just combined households and that all of the bills were in her name, (and besides that — my previous residence was a subsidized grant-​like artist loft /​at which all utilities were included.)
I asked what else I could show her and she mumbled something about a bank statement. I explained that all of my banking is done through Simple Bank (an excellent online-​bank) — and that there are no paper statements. I offered to show them on my laptop and she just shook her head. I asked her if there was somewhere I could print them and she just dead-​panned me — and frowned while clutching my ID.
I asked for my ID and said that I wouldn’t be getting an account I guess, and left.
All I wanted to do, was to talk to someone about their accounts — and to see if they were a good fit. In such a meeting, they could have explained what I would need to bring in /​what was required /​etc, were we to go ahead and open one.
Well. Not saying I’m the most awesome customer to have… I’m not going to have millions of dollars in my account. — but I am definitely not going to work with a company who employs apathetic and unhelpful service desk attendants. It just shows that they aren’t good business people. A small pamphlet would have been more helpful and much more pleasant.
I was only there for 4 minutes, but I still had to pay $ 2.50 for parking from an obnoxious computer-​voiced machine. Kinda cool though. Reminded me of early space-​mountain… but at the same time — the whole experience was something out of the film Brazil /​in the depressing way.

Rosie Juarez is very helpful, professional and cares about her customers!!! I highly recommend her. 5 stars…

I’ve been a member since I started with the City in 89. The credit union has helped me soo much during my time with them… From credit help to financing my car. The car buying service alone is worth the membership! Not only did they do the footwork, they stayed in my budget, got the car I wanted, and delivered the car to me! HASSLE FREE!!! The employees are like family! I love my credit union!!!

Never come on payday. I have to remind myself, again. The lines can be really long every other Wednesday when we City Employees get our paychecks. I had a line of 8 people ahead of me at lunchtime. I even went later to avoid the rush. I wanted to make a deposit outside but the ATM would not accept my check. I actually came back a second time to make my deposit.
There are a lot of transients that line the streets and malls here. Maybe it would be a good idea to post security outside of the door as well.

Yoo can we talk about how helpful Rosie Juarez is?! She made refinancing my loan the easiest process ever! I am so grateful that there are awesome people like her… super patient! Love me some LAFCU!!!

I had an excellent experience opening up an account and securing a used car loan from LAFCU. The rate was competitive, and the customer service was great. Joseph T. made the car loan process quick and easy, and was a pleasure to work with.

I’ve been a member there for years now, and Veronica Young has always been only but professional and quick with anything that I needed. Keep up the good work!

Had the best experience at Culver City LAFCU! Aracely, Tannia, and Jeremy worked with me to secure the loan I was seeking the process was smooth and easy To thank you for everything!!!

I had a great experience with my car loan at LAFCU especially with the help of Joseph Tinaza. He took his time and made it all easier for me during the loan process, He gave me an outstanding interest rate. He said that he would talk to his manager to see if they can lower the interest rate that they had previously gave me since I’ve been a member for 15 years and they sure did. The car dealership tried to beat the interest rate that LAFCU gave me but they were not able to. I really appreciate what Joseph had done for me, This is the reason why I still have my account with LAFCU.

15-​year personal account: B+
4-​year business account: F
I’d give them a double F, if such a thing existed.
Downsides (applies to both personal and business, but impacts me primarily on business account): Long, discretionary holds on deposits over $ 5000 (and often 2 – 10 day holds for smaller amounts, too) = business unfriendly. If your business relies upon bringing in large amounts and spending quickly, too (e.g. an inventory-​based business,) you’d be completely ****ed here. 7 – 10 BUSINESS DAY holds (up to two weeks!!) are still routine for checks drawn on local accounts (in the same darn city) that have never bounced in the many years I’ve been depositing them. In fact, not a single check I’ve deposited to this account has ever bounced. But after 4 years, I still get 7 – 10 business day holds.
NOT recommended for business accounts, period. Half of their staff don’t even knew that LAFCU offers business accounts, so you can imagine the corresponding level of difficulty in trying to accomplish anything. They’ve screwed my account up on multiple occasions (like printing my checks with my savings account number rather than my checking account number, telling me business to personal account transfers can’t be done online, only to find out later they can be set up, etc.). There are more horror stories I could share, but they’re the same sour note, unfortunately.
The one huge plus for this location is that two of the tellers, the receptionist and the security guard are SO sweet and wonderful that I’m always happy to see them.

I’ve been told how beneficial and rewarding a Credit Union Bank is and by chance I came across LAFCU. The hospitality at this bank is nothing less than perfect and warming. Ms. Veronica Young is great at what she does and will answer any question you need. They’re very polite and patient and most importantly detailed. I’m very pleased to be a member and look forward to future business with LAFCU.

Both Peter Rodriguez and Annabelle of the Online Services Team were very helpful! Great customer service, they were on top of their game, knew exactly what they were talking about, very pleasant to talk to and quick to respond.
This is a good example of being customer-​centric. You have exceeded my expectation! Kudos to your team!

Veronica Hernandez, has been very helpful my with loans and accounts. Very pleasant always makes me feel welcome. Best of all she’s bilingual… if u hv an account issue she’s always there to give a helping hand.

Just great! They’re a helpful and mostly great staffed group of people. Samuel Chung was a loan banker I worked with not too long ago and was very knowledgeable and had a great personality. I’ve been with a couple banks and I can say he was the first to actually be of some help to improve some of my finances. They care a lot about what happens with their members and help the members as much as they can do within their capabilities. I’m glad I joined and ready to set my future with LAFCU.

Always the most pleasant people who work there. The security guards always open the door, greet me and wish me a pleasant day! Yes! The tellers are always prompt and helpful. Rarely a line — unless it’s payday Wednesday. Then its a bit of wait if you need a teller.
Like Kaye R said, some awesome features and not so great features. Some of the perks I don’t get — since all I have is a savings account and not a checking — even though I’ve been a member since 2008.
There are a few LAFCU’s located around the city and you can go to any Co-​Op and withdraw $$ without penalty. The fees are low if you need to use your CC or take out money from an ATM outside of the country. It was 1% versus 3% with most other banks. :)
Awesome! LAFCU pretty much has a customer for life!