SchoolsFirst Federal Credit Union

This is for Sarah and if I could I would give 10 stars! She was super helpful with me and getting everything I needed to save me a trip to Bank of America. Really enjoy going to school first cause their service is like top notch. Haven’t had a single negative experience coming here. When you walk in there is someone to greet you, which he did sorry I didn’t catch your name mister!, then you go up to the teller window in this case it was Sarah and from there she helps you with everything you need to get done! Even helping me bundle up my $ 5s for me in a certain amount which totally saved me a ton of time! Yes I can go on and on but I think you Unilocalers get the point Sarah is awesome and school first is the best!

Easily the best financial service in the area. Best rates, best service and easy to deal with. I got a auto loan for 1.74 and the best I could find elsewhere was over 2.25. Unlike banks, when you walk in you are warmly greeted and long lines are a rarity.

Parking: The lot can get busy because it shared with many adjacent businesses
Staff: OMG how can I describe the most friendliest people to someone who had no idea how his first visit was going to be.
Service: I had everything taken care of in 30 minutes. EVERYTHING
Pros: This is the first time I ever felt safe and welcome in a financial institution.
Cons: NONE
Neat Notes: They have a coinstar type machine that doesn’t gouge you like the ones at the supermarkets. Members only of course.
My two cents:
I was hesitant of switching back to a credit union for personal reasons. Once I realized that I am not going to be switching jobs for a LONG time, its best for me to think in that long term investment. I have banked at big banks. I was with Washington Mutual, before they were absorbed by Chase from 2001 – 2007. I then switched to Bank of America from 2008 – 2015. My main reason for leaving BofA was the stupid minimum I was required to have in my checking for it to be free. I don’t agree with the «it’s only free for the first five years».
My job allows me to be part of School First Credit Union. So for those who work in the higher education or even education sector, I high suggest you switch over. Through my HRs direct deposit, I get my money a day earlier than everyone else. That one day makes a big difference. There are actually a lot of co-​op ATMs where I can withdraw for free.
I walked into Schools First on a Friday morning with all my paperwork that was given to me at work. When I walked in I was greeted by so many kind staff members and I waiting in the lounge. In the lounge they had complimentary coffee and milk. Literally when I sat down, my representative was ready to see me. Let me tell you about Marlene Aoun. What an angel. So calm, polite, courteous and professional. She made my entire visit so pleasing, I look forward to see her every time I walk in.
I told her I wanted to sign up for a new checking and savings account. She helped me set my online account with username and password. Immediately my new Master Card Debit Card was printed. Cash I had on hand was deposited into my new savings and checking account. This entire setup only, took me 30 minutes. 30 minutes!!! That’s incredibly fast. It’s been a week now and I already got my free checks in the mail.
I’m loving my new credit union. I’m definitely coming back so they can help me on my Roth 403. I love you Schools First

Awesome service, quick but not rushed. Very knowledgeable and courteous. Would recommend to any teacher or faculty member.

I love love love this credit union!!! I’ve been a member for over a decade, and every single time I’ve had an issue they always find a quick and easy way to resolve it. They’ve refunded overdraft charges, they prepared all my paperwork for an auto loan so all I had to do was pick up a check, they’ve assisted me when my info has been compromised, and their rates are just phenomenal! I work for a bank, and I still refuse to switch and leave SchoolsFirst.

Seriously the best service i have ever received! All the customers are treated with so much respect. I loved how they took the time to explain everything and didn’t make you feel rushed at all. I would highly recommend all school employees to come to this branch! I’m a happy camper! :)

I just was approved for a refinance with them. BofA took us through a long complex process, approved us, and then yanked the loan at the last minute. SFFCU approves us over the phone, the paperwork was simple and straightforward, and the fees were about HALF what BOfa was going to charge. Save money and go with your credit union! I’m a new member and planning to switch all my accounts here.

I was a customer with Wells Fargo for over 10 years, so I was naturally very apprehensive about switching financial institutions. As a school employee, we are offered the opportunity of banking with Schools First FCU with a few added benefits, so I decided to give them a try after I heard nothing but great things from my co-​workers.
As soon as I walked into the branch (Walnut, CA) I was greeted and felt right at home. Nothing like when I used to visit a WF branch. Everyone is courteous and attentive to your needs. And not just to me; I noticed this with every customer that walked into the branch.
So long story short, they got me all setup with my account and after 2 months they got me a credit card with an excellent rate (10.5%!). I have bad credit history, so the fact that they were even willing to lend to me was astonishing considering WF declined several times, despite the fact that my money was deposited directly to their bank on a monthly basis. Wasn’t the case with Schools First FCU. They approved me. That was the last nail on the coffin for WF. The next day I went to the local branch and closed ALL of my accounts. It felt fantastic and liberating.
Schools First FCU is definitely a quality place. You wont get this kind of service anywhere, and especially not at any bank. They have all the modern amenities of the big name banking institutions like, online banking, online bill-​pay, envelope-​free check/​cash deposit ATMs, and even a mobile app. It’s a no-​frills place, which I love! I’m not being slammed with promotions and credit card applications every time I check my account balances online like I was with WF.
I highly recommend this credit union to EVERYONE!

Hi,
I have been banking with Schools First Federal Credit Union for over 25 years. Since way back when, when they were Orange County Teachers Federal Credit Union and they just had a branch or two.
One of the things I like best about banking with them is they have not seemed to have lost the personal touch they had way back when they were small. You walk in and many of the tellers call you by name. They are also so incredibly nice it is scary some times.
At this branch (the Walnut branch) Jayson is one of my favorite tellers. He knows me, and many others, by name when I walk in, treats me like I am the most important customer he has ever had, and is never too busy to acknowledge your presence. Although, I like working with him, it does not in the least discount the amazing customer service you get from other employees of this branch! It has always been a high point of this location.
Another nice thing about this branch is there is seldom a line. This is especially nice on a Friday afternoon when you can still get in and out in just a few minutes. That is as long as you can find a parking space in the center as it can sometimes be quite difficult.
If you have a way of becoming a member of the Schools First Federal Credit Union I would suggest you do so… you will be impressed!

High marks for customer service for not only this branch in Walnut, but for all the other branches that I’ve been to for SchoolsFirst! Friendly and attentive always and what I’m most impressed about is their level of patience and empathy.
Sometimes, you have to say no to a customer or inform them they are wrong; these employees have the tact for being able to provide the proper explanation and give the customer the expectation they want by listening to the customer’s side. That’s real customer service!

awesome friendly and just genuinely NICE people work at this branch. always helpful, and when i call, i always speak to a person.
if you can bank with them, DO.
the ONLY drawback to banking with schoolsfirst is that there arent that many ATMs or branches, but luckily i have a few closeby.

Never bank with a giant monster mega bank again. If you are eligible to join Schools First, I would recommend joining. I have never had an issue with this bank and I think it offers very competitive products and very competitive rates. Occasionally this branch has cookies in the lobby or freebies like magnets or key chains. They treat customers well and don’t hassle you to sign up for products you do not need. I used to bank with a huge bank but have been a member since 2006 and have not looked back since.

I’m not really sure what they did to me, but suddenly I’m a financially responsible adult.
I ENJOY going to the bank. I like talking to customer service representatives on the phone. I open my mailers as soon as I get them. I never thought that banking would be anything I’d be good at. Okay, I’m not good at it, but they help me become better at it.
They don’t judge me or my funds. They’re always ready and willing to help as soon as you walk in the door. They have conversations with you about your financial needs, and allow you to ask questions and even offer advice.
I know, it sounds like a dream. Well, wake up and join.