SchoolsFirst Federal Credit Union Reviews 17

This not a great bank to have money with because they steal that from you , they took my hard earned money and put the accounts negative status. And than claim to want more money to fix the problem that they created from their the start. Do not give your money to them ever. They really don’t care what happens when taking money from you, also they claim to never be the issue when comes to calling them out on it.

I am extremely satisfied with my credit union. They provided outstanding interest rates on all three of my car purchases. They consistently reduce my rate annually for my consistent on-time payments. I have also utilized their consolidation loan services, and they manage one of my primary checking accounts. The level of service has been consistently excellent, and their mobile app offers a wide array of convenient features, allowing me to conduct most of my banking remotely. I enthusiastically recommend this credit union, particularly if you have a family member who is a teacher or educator; they can often arrange for free membership.

SchoolsFirst is the best financial institution I have encountered in my several decades - we have been members since the early 2000's. Fair and cost-effective, the Credit Union is very responsive to issues as they occur. Compared to any other bank or credit union, SchoolsFirst is flexible, courteous and seems to be invested in the success of their members.

Terrible trash behavior asked for a service to be done that day then I said fine I offered Monday but again denied as they claimed before they forced it on me that wensday or Thursday I said what's the point? I can come in Monday your 3 hour wait is your problem scumbags last time I waited 1 hour 45 minutes at your Irvine branch so what? They said their busy incompetent discriminatory credit union & now my card is with held for fighting against their weak feeble & victimizing airheaded behavior most likely the cause If we call up the bank for harassment while I was getting ai not an actual response definitely consider switching the date is an estimate it was closer to the beginning of November I'm just now writing this bull incident find another banking service unless you like insecure fussy stubborn expat Karen's that we were letting in our country every year this is their way of showing respect acting with degraded scrutiny to a customer for the last 5 years my parents refuse any other service or abuse like they do me my dad's but put in a cell & tried abandonment after they promised care yep illegal if they used those words after 18 or forcing me out in the cold as a minor with blackmail as they refuse to repair my damaged bed room floor yes fixed only took over half a year with a bruised spine absolute proof for acting bolligerant I would have left years ago if could have like with Kaiser doctor insurance do yourself a favor leave these cringe domestically abusive ones as their the same present at your own gym membership thanks scrubs you can be butthurt if you want I'll find a way to access my funds forcefully through government pressure tactics if they choose to deny as they obviously further decline in funds & services deny a public comment people will view it before then good for them failures don't act with sincerity unless you want elitism!

I am posting this to document my ongoing negative experience with SchoolsFirst Federal Credit Union regarding false and contradictory credit reporting.

For over a year, I have made repeated good-faith attempts to correct an error tied to my Classroom Supplies Loan.

SchoolsFirst has sent contradictory reports to different credit bureaus: one bureau shows a 30-day delinquency, another shows 2 missed 30-day payments (even though this is impossible), another shows the account current with 91% on-time payments. These inconsistencies directly harm my creditworthiness and violate the Fair Credit Reporting Act (15 U.S.C. §1681e(b), §1681s-2(b)), which requires accuracy and proper investigation of consumer disputes.

I sent multiple documented emails to SchoolsFirst’s member experience team and relevant managers in May, August, and September 2025, clearly outlining the errors and attaching proof. I have received no meaningful resolution, only boilerplate responses and silence. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) has closed my complaints as “duplicates,” leaving me with no effective remedy while the inaccurate tradeline remains.

This mishandling has caused significant financial harm by lowering my credit score, increasing borrowing costs, and limiting access to credit. I am now left with no choice but to escalate publicly, file with the FTC’s Consumer Sentinel system, and explore legal remedies.

Consumers deserve better. Financial institutions must be held accountable when they report false information and then refuse to engage when a member brings proof.

This bank has repeatedly demonstrated racist behavior. I recently encountered issues with a check I deposited, and when I called for assistance, they provided me with incorrect information and treated me unfairly, as if I were a criminal. This kind of treatment is unacceptable.

Absolutely terrible. I had a car loan through them that I paid on for five years without issue. At the very end of the loan I traded in the vehicle, and went through a different agency for the new car loan. Schools First Federal Credit Union continued to call, email, and otherwise harass me for payment despite me providing info that the car was sold. They would not give any guidance on how I can avoid them dinging my credit with a "late payment," the representative just kept saying "yes, correct, you are responsible for the full balance still." I'm really disappointed with their services, and wish I had not been such a good customer for them for those five years.

Got an email alert about a fraudulent transaction. Called the phone number, got it taken care of quickly. The charge was cancelled, the card was cancelled and a new one issued. Except the charge WASN'T cancelled and went through, because School's First are incompetent liars. Every time there's a problem with them it becomes a hellish nightmare. I couldn't hate this bank more, they are miserable to deal with and can't be trusted with your money. This bank can rot.

Best bank ever. So grateful for everything they have ever done for me and my finances. Always great customer service. They treat their school employees so well!

awaiting good news
date of experience July 27 2024 & awaiting good news - reversal
Im Shinny and optimistic, thank you for asking! Dear SchoolFirstcredit union- request a reconsideration for loan 07/30. School first cu -I want to review the reasons why I were denied and try to address them. Consolidate 7 loans into one on 72 term.
Greetings, School First CU#1
I am writing requesting reconsideration of the denial of my recent consolidation loan application. Reach out to me

SchoolsFirst is one of the very best credit unions out there. Very community oriented and very pleasant to work with. They’ve helped me out on numerous occasions and offer a wide array of products and services.

Very modern financial institution with great customer service. I have been with them for almost 10 years now, and they have so many easy on-line services I hardly ever need to go in. When I do I always get a smile and very helpful people. Wish larger banks could be this modern.

been with them over 28 years, always a good experience. reliable. consistent. highest levels of customer service. would recommend to others... A+

I've been with SFFCU since it was OCTFCU and I still lived in California. I moved away from California in 1991 and I STILL use them as my main bank because they are so much better than any bank I have encountered. I almost never use the bank branches of course (haven't been back to CA since before the pandemic started), but they have an agreement with a different credit union here so I don't have to pay for ATMs, depending on the ones I use.

With them, I have used checks, electronic banking, autopay, and Zelle. I have transferred money between banks and gotten emergency debit cards. When I had an issue and needed to get more money than allowed over a two day period, they lifted the limit temporarily for me.

Worst website. Why did u have to change the website- from good to worst? Almost impossible to log in, I have to try several times. Such a waste of time

Schools first is not at all easy to work with. Their webpage is archaic and impossible to fathom. I came to Schools First from their merger with Schools Financial and I’m not at all happy with the arrangement. It’s a huge step down from the great service and easy to use webpage I’m used to. Then there are things that can only be done in the phone app and not online. So foolish. The fact that it is impossible to get through to anyone for assistance just proves that others are trying to get help as well and the lines are tied up with calls for assistance to figure out even the most simple of tasks one should be able to complete on line.

Schools First bought out Schools Financial (SFCU) in 2020 and the transfer of accounts was a nightmare. For three weeks, hundreds of loyal SFCU patrons, retired elderly people like myself, were forced to stand in long, slow lines for hours during a very bad time in the Pandemic to get individual teller service from exhausted staff because their paperwork was flawed.
Some of the companies I was paying through my Schools Financial account were lost, and one account that I had closed and showed up on my payee list as closed was still receiving monthly payments. And they wanted $35 to stop the payment. I am changing to USAA right after tax season. I had been with SFCU for 40 years.