SchoolsFirst FCU Reviews

It’s likely more to do with iOS 11 at this point, but if I start SchoolsFirstFCU after a while since the last time I logged in, I am able to log in. If I sign out and need to sign back in minutes after, SchoolsFirstFCU crashes. Force closing SchoolsFirstFCU works most of the time, but there are odd instances where I have to close it a couple of times in order to sign in. I have already tried reinstalling SchoolsFirstFCU to no avail.

Other than that bug, which I’m sure the talent in Tustin will address, this is a fantastic and marvelously designed app. I love the layout and the functionality is great. Favorite feature is swiping to the right to quickly see my balances, hands down.

I have a lot of issues with remote deposit and Zelle. So much so that I avoid using them at all costs. But with COVID I’ve had to electronically deposit my checks and it takes me about 30 minutes to get a good photo or it will continue telling me “the check deposit numbers don’t match”, whether I’m using auto capture or manual capture. Zelle has stopped working a few times for me, where the recipient and I could not figure out the problem and ended up using Apple Pay. There’s a lot of scheduled maintenance as well, so sometimes I can’t log in to view my balance (such as when taxes came in) which was frustrating. Love SchoolsFirst, their app needs some work.

It is incredibly irritating when I go to view my balances with “easy view”, and it doesn’t work. I am constantly having to log in and go into settings now to turn it back on. It is automatically turning off without me doing a single thing. And I’m not accidentally hitting the “turn off easy view” button when I am done viewing my balances. My phone is completely updated and there is no reason it should be doing this. Makes things incredibly difficult and frustrating when I’m not in a place where I can easily login to SchoolsFirstFCU . I have to reset the settings constantly and I’m so sick of it!

I have been banking here since 2013 and I love SchoolsFirstFCU. When I moved away and was no longer near a branch of the Credit Union, I was able to keep my account because of SchoolsFirstFCU. I can do nearly all my banking and I have not needed to switch to a large bank.

The only reason I gave SchoolsFirstFCU 4 stars instead of 5 is because under every account there is no viewable account balance. Under every account SchoolsFirstFCU only shows how much is coming into or going out of the account for each transaction. The only way to view the current balance is on the summary of accounts page. This means that anytime I go balance my account, I have to check what has gone through the account already, view what is pending, then go back to the summary page to figure out my actual balance in the account. Would it really be so hard to include a running balance with each transaction? You do this on the computer website which I love but SchoolsFirstFCU is missing this feature.

They have been very good at making sure about questionable transaction with my account. They respond quickly to help you with any situation you unexpectedly find yourself in with atm or credit card lost, or stolen.
My two knocks on them are: first. Making sure you and the person on the teller phone are agreeing to exactly the same thing, that the of you have that understanding and clarity on the topics being discussed.
The second item is: They have yet to open a branch here in Northern California. There are a plethora of universities, colleges and community colleges spread throughout here in Silicon Valley, which seems like a natural and ideal location for a SchoolsFirst Credit Union. But I’m sure it’s easier said than done, because I’ve been banging on that drum for the past 12 years without and hint of them dipping a toe in the waters of the Bay Area to establish a branch locally.
These two things are minor all thing consider for the services they’ve been providing me over the year I’ve been with them.

Have been a SchoolsFirst member for 20+ years and have been using their app since it first launched several years ago. I can do any transaction now that I used to do on a desktop or laptop computer which is a great improvement bc I am often traveling internationally. The ease with which I can transfer funds to/from an external bank account is my favorite feature. The 2nd best feature is being able to see the routing number and share account number at a glance. With other bank apps, it’s often a hunt-and-peck task before finding this info, if at all.

The one improvement I would ask for is a “Quick Balance” view from the login screen, so that I can view the balances of my accounts w/out actually logging in.

Otherwise, SchoolsFirstFCU is far superior than my other bank apps.

Before the last update I did not have a single issue with SchoolsFirstFCU. In fact it was a great way to keep tabs on your account and do E-deposits. I have an I-phone 6 and now no matter what I do and how many times I have uninstalled and reinstalled SchoolsFirstFCU , it always crashed.....the developers need to fix this issue because I am sure I am not the only one experiencing this problem. Once the bug is fixed I’ll change my star rating, but until that happens SchoolsFirstFCU is useless.

Since the latest IOS update 11.2.5. SchoolsFirstFCU is working well and there have been no issues. SchoolsFirstFCU works as expected allowing for easy online banking.

I’m not one to write reviews, but this banking institution is well worth the effort. I just used one of their new shortcut features and it works great. The only times I have issues is when they won’t accept deposits made payable to me and my spouse and endorsed by both of us. His credit union accepts these deposits without any problems, and I don’t understand why my credit union can’t do the same. I know I’m not the only one who has the same problem. Regardless, I’m still giving them 5 stars (& a 5 star rating from me is extremely rare. They’re always helpful and never pushy, have great senses of humor, are always in your favor if there’s a questionable double bulling, and not once have they tried to sell you on one of their loans, etc. (in person or via email. I really appreciate their efforts on privacy - I only get my statement emailed to me and nothing else. That in itself is worth 5 stars!!

There is nothing Schools first bank could do to improve their ten star service , they are the best in the banking industry after my 70 yrs of personal and business banking experiences as a millionaire and as a pauper . Regardless of the balance in my accounts , Schools has always treated me as one expects of Royalty. Thank you Schools for always looking out for my best interests and for always telling me the truth , and what you feel is in my best interests , whether I liked it or not . Thank you for assisting in my daily and long term banking, and for making my world a better place to reside . You are the most honest financial institution I have ever done business with, and I plan to stay here until I no longer need money, or banks, to assist in handling my assets and liabilities, no matter how small they may be. Thanks with all Of my senior heart . ❤️😍🗽⚖️ Jerri B .

In the past I wasn’t so responsible having a bank account. A few years back, SchoolsFirst FCU gave me a second chance and helped me grow in the past years. My money management improved significantly. The mobile banking feature is great. If I have any questions I can connect with someone easily to resolve any issues. I could get a loan and with affordable payoffs, you can’t go wrong. With a whole list of perks that I would not go into because it’s a lot, your definitely in the right hands banking with SchoolsFirst FCU. SchoolsFirst, you’re the best, and thanks again for the second chance.

I honestly would give this application 5 out of 5 stars. I work for an old school electrical company that only works on schools and the owner doesn’t believe in direct deposit.. so the employees have to physically pick up their paychecks every Friday. You have made my life much easier the past few years being able to log in, exposure, snap 2 pictures, hit send and my entire paycheck is available. I have never really had any issues with SchoolsFirstFCU and I appreciate all the hard work that you do to keep it running smoothly.
-Andrew M Cesak

SchoolsFirstFCU is simple and easy to use. You can transfer funds immediately to other Members or use Zelle within SchoolsFirstFCU to transfer to other people who aren’t SchoolsFirst Members. I love how clean and easy the menu is. You can also put a temporary block on your debit card, find local free ATMs when traveling and place a travel notice as well. Love the edeposit feature and ability to view statements in SchoolsFirstFCU . Nice job. Only recommendation is instant debit card use notification. I have ealerts but get the text when the transaction clears not when card is swiped.

These days talking to an actually person is few and far between. If you are lucky enough to hear the voice on the other end you may get a person who isn’t friendly or you feel you’ve called at the wrong time. I have never felt this way when calling Schools First. From general questions, concerned questions, over draft fees (eek) to stolen identity they have been nothing but kind. Problems have been resolved, NEVER “ I don’t know” 😑 I will forever bank with this credit union. ANNNNND my car loan was easy to get!

I have been using SchoolsFirstFCU for a very long time and really love it ONCE I’M IN! I absolutely hate the log in process over the last couple months. Every time I open SchoolsFirstFCU , a screen with “tips” comes up and I have to “x” out of it. When I do, I have to re-enter my log-in information because it doesn’t remember me. I hate that. I wish there was a way to tell the “tips” that I get it and please don’t pop up again!!! I just want SchoolsFirstFCU to remember me and let me log in quickly. Why does it have to make it so inconvenient!?

I used to feel intimidated each time I called my “Big Bank” customer service line to ask for help or clarification because I would be told “it is what it is” with my account and they could not do anything to help me conserve my money better. Well, Schools First customer service is super friendly and infinitely patient with me and I always feel like we are brainstorming together for financial options to improve my banking. I am so grateful for their personal attention and feel good about banking here.