SchoolsFirst Federal Credit Union

Great service! Great rates! Nationwide no fee ATM network. They were way more efficient at helping me than Wells Fargo with stolen checks.
And they are much better than my last credit union. They are awesome!

I just came across this location recently after moving. Everyone is friendly and efficient just like I would expect from all School’s First. The only down side to it is the location is inside Stater Brothers and is located in the most awkward place in the store. It’s directly in front of the checkout lines for the store so while you’re in line for the bank you are in the way of anyone trying to exit the building with their groceries. Other than that little uncomfortable issue this place is great and keeps high standards.

I love this credit union! I don’t think I will ever switch banks… best credit union ever! Not just this branch but all of them!!:-))

I’ve been here 23 years — had all of my car loans here as well. They are easy to work with and have good products.
All around — a great banking partner

I can’t say enough good things about SchoolsFirst Federal Credit Union. Even though my primary branch is the Cerritos location, I have also been to this location inside Stater Brothers on Spring Street when I used to work in the area and when I needed to conduct banking business on a Saturday, since the Cerritos branch does not have Saturday hours.
As with the Cerritos branch, doing business with this location is such a pleasant experience. The people who work there make you feel like you’re the most important person in the world and take really good care of you. :-)
SchoolsFirst is one of the few financial institutions left that still offers truly FREE checking accounts – that means NO direct deposit or minimum balance requirements, unlike at the «too big to fail» banks (who also like to stick it to you with all kinds of sneaky fees). Also, as a credit union member, I have surcharge-​FREE access to over 28,000 credit union ATMs nationwide through the Co-​Op Network. This includes ATMs at 7 – 11 and Walgreens stores.
I was able to join SchoolsFirst because one of my sisters was an employee of a school district in Orange County at the time (but is still a SchoolsFirst member).
In addition to checking and savings accounts, I also have a credit card through SchoolsFirst and I also rolled over my various 401K accounts from previous employers into an investment account, so they’re all in one place.
With all these good things going for SchoolsFirst, I would NEVER want to do my banking anywhere else. This begs the question: Why don’t more people belong to credit unions?

When I arrived in CA in 1994, I banked to Well’s Fargo. even back then, the fees were out of this world, so a staff member told me to check out OCTFCU. I never knew what a credit union actually was or what they really did. My decision to check it out the best decision of my life! 18 years later, I have no intention of taking my business elswhere. Although I think I like the old name better, I will continue to do all my banking at Schools First. Credit Cards, Home Mortgage, Personal Loans, etc. They do EVERYTHING better than «Banks» !!!

I’ve been here since 2006 and I’ve had a really good experience at Schools First. The customer service has been consistently great! Everyone is friendly and super helpful. The majority of the time, the lines are nonexistent and getting helped quickly is no problem. During busier times there can be lines but there are no ridiculous wait times that I’ve encountered. The location is inside a Stater Bros grocery store but since it’s right next to the entrances, it’s not a problem. The online banking system is wonderful. I like checking my balances at least once a week and I can switch around money easily on my own from home if I need to. The general representatives for all SchoolsFirst (not just this location) are also very helpful and nice if you need to call about maturing certificates or just anything.
The only bad experience I’ve had since banking here was really a fellow customer’s fault — but the way it was handled by the teller made me furious. Naturally, there is a line to be helped and this woman decided to cut me, my mom, sister, and several other customers behind me by swooping in from the right side once a teller became free. IT WAS MY TURN. I told the lady, «Excuse me, I was next.» And she pretended she didn’t know what I was talking about and claimed that she was in line «over there.» The problem is, that is not a line and about 5 other people were in the real line. Since the teller counters are so close and the teller has a good view of us, she stepped in and let the woman know that she wasn’t in the line and that she was cutting the rest of us. The cutting customer woman ignored her and it was like she bullied the teller into just serving her. The teller gave in and let that woman «win» and that is what made me so angry especially because the teller KNEW that she had just cut all of us.
Overall, I definitely recommend SchoolsFirst!

Well, I’m a teacher so naturally, I bank with SchoolsFirst. :0p
First, the people. The few occasions I’ve had the pleasure of walking up to the counter to do a transaction in person, I’m always met with a pleasant greeting and a smiling face. They are efficient, fast, and accurate. One strange thing is when they address me as «Mr. Yoon», I feel like I’m back at work. I digress.
Second, the location. It’s INSIDE the Stater Bros grocery store (do not confuse with the LBS Financial across the parking lot). I don’t necessarily shop at Stater Bros, but for the people who do, I’d imagine it would be a pretty convenient thing. One negative side, I’ve found, is that the ATM is not accessible outside Stater Bros’s business hours; unlike a bank branch in its own building that have 24-​hour ATMs that can be accessed at 2:30am.
I’ve been a customer with BofA, WaMu, and Citibank. I’ve worked for Citibank for 3+ years. What I’ve found is that the banking business is about numbers and people. A good banking institution cares about its customers and cares about the numbers. BofA, Chase, Citibank, etc are huge, global companies that care more about its profits than its people. I was awestruck by the level of customer service at SchoolsFirst — even over the phone.
Let’s face it — there’s a reason why we prefer a hole-​in-​the-​wall, mom-​pop joints over McDonalds. I prefer Ace Hardware over Lowe’s or Home Depot. In these places, the numbers and the people are both important.
I understand that some people do not meet the qualifications to join a credit union and that sucks. Sorry. But for those who can join, you should not hesitate to switch over.
–Good people = good customer service.
–Online banking with free bill pay
–First box of checks for free (if you still use checks… I don’t).
–Debit/​Check card
–ATMs evenly scattered throughout
–Lower rate on loans
I’ve been banking with them for the past two years. I think I’ve found my forever bank. SchoolsFirst will work for you, too. Promise. :0)

Great credit union. They work hard to get and keep your business. A+++ Jeremy one of the senior reps reminds me of a old school bank manager. He remembers your name & is glad to see you. See my other reviews of other credit unions. And you will see why this one gets 5-​stars.

Wow! That was totally amazing customer service provided by teller Jeremy. I mean honestly I haven’t received service like that in a long time. I expect it at some dive or even Starbizzle. But at a credit union? You’re effing kidding right?
I know online banking and bill pay is readily available at my finger tips ²⁴⁄₇; why would I even bother going into a branch? I have my personal reasons and yeah I guess I’m old school like that. Sorry not the $$$ under the mattress type of person; B of A (ndrea) wouldn’t allow me to do that. She would say I need to invest it or put it somewhere else where I’m paying myself or her. After all these years that I’ve been going to this location one connection was made with William the employee. I will wait and let others go before me so I can chat with him. He’s a personable guy and it just makes my banking experience fun even though I know I’m paying for it one way or another. As for the others, no pleasantries were ever exchanged.
Now I have the weirdest pay period at work and a due date for my one and only cc bill. So I actually go into this branch twice a month just to make sure I’m paying more than the monthly fee so I can actually pay off the principle. No biggie right?
Came here earlier today to pay a portion of my minimum balance due with the knowledge that I need to come back and pay more. The service was quick since it was me and another person. Things started off smoothly until I asked where William was. I received a curt remark that William was no longer with the company. I was sad I didn’t get to say bye.
I got myself together and was ready to leave as the end of my lunch hour was quickly approaching when this fool threw a queen attitude and attempted to call me out that I’m not even paying the minimum of the balance due. So I snap back and say «and yeah? Well my balance isn’t even due until next week (and your point is?).
****Take that m*ther f*ucker. You want a cat fight? Let’s go! ***
Then I replied:
«Well, I guess I better start online banking.»
J: Why?
E: «Because the only reason why I ever came to this branch was because of William.»
No response.
The one star was for Schools First being a credit union and the other star was for William. Most of the my regular interaction with a teller is less than 5min, so I’m just baffled by the service.
THANKS Jeremy! You definitely pushed me into online banking because you’re such a pleasant person to deal with. F– YOU! Had you asked me or said it differently I wouldn’t have had any issues because I was indifferent to Schools First.