Desert Schools Federal Credit Union

Desert Schools doesn’t even deserve one star with the nightmare I have been experiencing with them. It’s taken them more than 1 week to clear a check that I deposited. They refuse to release the funds and instead charge me more than $ 500 in NFS fees. I have more than enough money to cover my purchased, but the funds «haven’t been released yet». Thank you for screwing me over! I will never recommend them to anyone!

I have been a member of Desert Schools Federal Credit Union since I was 17. I have always been happy with my service.
I used to come to this branch all the time when I lived close by. The customer service is good.
I will say that when I got divorced and had no credit, they would not give me a credit card. They had no programs for women like me. I ended up going to another bank to get a secured credit card. I was disappointed but my own bank did not have this option for me.
Fortunately that secured credit card option at the other bank worked out and I built my credit. Now desert schools offers me credit cards all the time. Silly banks!

I’ve been a member for about 3 years and my experiences over these years has worsened. Countless times I have tried to make large purchases through major companies like Amazon to buy books for graduate school and many times my card has been declined. The funds were ready and available but due to the decisions made by upper management and members of the board certain restrictions are set that place purchase limits on members’ availability of funds. I became distrustful because if I couldn’t purchase books what would happen if I had a major car issue or breakdown and I needed to use my card for towing and/​or other car emergency, or what would happen if me or my dogs had an emergency medical expense, would my card be declined again? I pursued answers to why this was happening and filed a case with NCUA. Upper management from Desert contacted me and explained that board members set restrictions that even he couldn’t do anything about and that he would definitely take my NCUA case and written complaints to the board.
I’m taking my funds elsewhere because this happened again after filing a complaint. I can no longer trust this credit union and things like this worry me. I never know when my card will be declined and worry about needing to use it when the credit union is closed and I can not contact anyone.

This bank has the worst customer service ever. They recently changed their computer system so that it is even slower than before. They blame they «system» for everything including the fact that they now require ID for every transaction including a straight deposit. I am a senior and I have been a customer for over 25 years but no one ever acknowledges that fact. They address me by my first name even though they always want ID. Simple courtesy should dictate that they at least address me as Mrs._______. When I repeatedly pointed this out, they said «It’s our system.» If you happen to get a new teller (which is often because their turnover is frequent), you get even worse service.

hello my fellow Unilocalers!
So, you’re looking for a new bank and you thought you might check out a credit union ?
Ask yourself why you want a credit union.
Is it because it used to be onlly «special» people are allowed to bank there… «Members»?
Or because you want a «small town» type bank?
DESERT SCHOOLS is neither!
Anyone can become a member and they are NOT small.
The Bank Managers have very LITTLE authority to make decisions… Everything seems to have to go through a district manager in this case «Shawn Mitchell».who by the way feels his members are not important enough to return a call to.
My beef is with the fact that they charge for most everything!
Don’t have direct deposit… Charge! Need a check from your own account… One in 5? Years … Charge!
Stupid little things that «small town type credit unions» should provide.
The employees have always been pleasant and professional
My husband and I both closed our accounts recently and as I sat with the bank rep I used his scissors to cut up my bank card I had a feeling of freedom!
We are done with a desert Schools!
I used to bank with a credit union for many years and loved it but this credit union just doesn’t deserve our business!
We found a small local bank with free banking, free checks, free ATM reimbursement, better hours and real personalized service.
Good luck to all and think of all your options out there before you join!
Always remember to live for today!

Nicest crew and super helpful!
Forget the huge chains, these guys get my business from here on out!
The best

I’m a new member. I’ve been to the branch twice, once to start my savings account and the second time to finish opening my checking account. I met with the same representative each time. The first time I got the impression he had never opened an account before. The second time (now) I am convinced he was never even trained.
I have waited for about 10 min while the rep finished his personal call. I could hear it clearly from the waiting area. Then I sat and waited another 10min for him to figure out how to open my checking account. It got so bad he is on the phone now with another branch asking them how to do it. I’ve been here for 35 min and my account is still not open.
Slowest bank ever. I’ve had good experiences over the phone getting my auto loan and this is the reason I don’t give two stars. My other bank is Chase, and they are always fast. I guess credit unions just don’t move with the same level of urgency.

Coming from someone who has banked with Bank of America and Wells Fargo for years I can honestly say I’m satisfied with Desert Schools. They offer competitive rates plus all of the standard accounts any bank would offer. Yes, this particular location can be a bit slow but it’s because they are helping customers, not sitting around blowing up balloons or anything! I’ve been to plenty of B of A locations and have had to wait FOREVER so this bank is no different in that aspect. I’m happy to be a customer at this bank and appreciate their friendly service. :)

I don’t really think you can be a huge fan of a bank but in all retrospects Desert Schools is not among the worst. Some pros:
Friendly service
Easy to set up a bank account for your kids
Personal service feeling
Cons:
Sometimes really slow service
Fraud department will freeze account frequently if you go shopping, for example, we frequently go to Tucson to go shopping and on one particular trip we spent a couple of hundred dollars on some clothing stores. Two days later we were trying to buy the newest Xbox at the Chandler Walmart and we were not able to due to the account being frozen. Okay, so we purchase the very next morning after speaking with them. Fast forward to a week later and we were trying to buy a game, again the same thing. Apparently there is a number you are supposed to call where you can review your charges and let them know it’s okay to unfreeze your account. This has happened countless times and the phone automation thing sometimes will take forever to unfreeze your account.
No real convenient locations
They have joined the big boys and charge just as much in fees for those things you need.