First Tech Federal Credit Union

I am a LONG time first tech member, and they have changed since merging with Addison to become first tech federal. They used to have outstanding customer service, not so much anymore. They just don’t care like they used to– members used to be people, now members are just account numbers. Even worse– they arbitrarily increase interest rates (my credit score is stellar, and has only increased since I opened my account). VERY sad first tech has become what it is– took my money and my business elsewhere, I suggest you do the same.

I have been an Tech company employee for 15 years. I have had 3 $ 30K+ car loans with them and have had good credit. For some reason, it is nearly impossible to get a Home Loan from them.
They were great until a few years ago but I couldnt put my finger on what changed. Now, going through the reviews after 2010, I see they were merged with some California company.
Main issues I seem to have:
1. Checks occasionally go on hold now when trying to deposit. They would always give me the benefit of the doubt and make deposits available immediately.
2. Deposits do not post until all pending and current sales go through. This is in hopes that it will cause an overdraft.
3. Debit card purchases are constantly getting flagged and put on hold for purchases. I was stuck in Arizona Airport on MLK day unable to complete my pre-​paid rental car. Of course I could not get a hold of anyone.

I’ve been a First Tech member for many years and love them! Many great benefits, rates, friendly service. I don’t care if they remember me personally — the other benefits matter more to me. I’ve re-fi’d, gotten a new mortgage, opened CDs, use their safe deposit box, all awesome and way better than local banks!

Nike recently moved us from Amsterdam to Portland and these people take good care of us. Our contact, Frank Woolliams is extremely helpful, quick as a cat and very friendly, as are the other people we have dealt with. Great choice!

moved all of my accounts from here. Their mortgage department is rude and they are always working on their website.

I’ve belonged for nearly 50 years and have always been able to depend on the help I receive from the credit union. As a senior citizen (these days) I need that help even more than before.

The customer service at this bank is terrible! I’ve been into this branch 5 times in the last month and a half to deal with two simple matters. 1 to get a new debit card, 2 to particular type of account. Their debit card machine is always either ‘broken’ or the wait is 40 plus minutes long. I was misdirected on the account and later told it was not the correct type of account I needed. The staff their lacks knowledge, are sluggish, and borderline rude. Sad to me because I’ve been banking with first tech for nearly 20 years, can’t say I’d recommend them anymore. Bank elsewhere if you want efficient service!

I love First Tech, I have been banking with them for as long as I can remember. They make my life so easy, from online banking, to auto loans, even cashing in a bunch of coins.
We recently had to come into the bank to set up an Estate Account and it was so easy. The young man who helped us was very nice and professional and we were in and out in no time. I really like the fact they have a reception desk of sorts and the person working the desk can direct you, or let whomever you are there to see know you are waiting (there is a waiting area as well).
The bank itself is gorgeous, newer and very modern looking, and did I mention HUGE!
The only thing that would make my life better is if they had dog cookies in the drive thru, my dog is horribly disappointed every time we go and there is no cookie for her.

A friendly banking for Intel and Nike employee. Many awesome relocation offer for those who are new to here.

This credit union is a total disappointment. I need to really change this place. Every time I use this bank and travel internationally I have problems with my credit card. I then have to call the credit card helpline which doesnt work 24 hours. It only offers US 8 hour support. No use when your stuck in a country and cannot use the card for business. I can’t wait to cancel my account with this horrible non efficient service.

Can I give no stars? My Teen son has been in twice to cash a check from the neighbor for working for him, and has problems both times. This time they blatantly asked him, «Did you forge this check?» and then refuse to cash it.
WHAT??? Because he is a teenager? Discrimination!!! He was horrified.
Then I called them to suggest that maybe they deal with the situation a little better (Because I can appreciate them trying to protect peoples accounts) And the lady said, «Well, I could hear their conversation, and I didn’t hear anything like that.» Hummmm, I see a law suit in their future since they can’t even see the issue.
I truly am in search of a credit union so I can move away from a big bank… will NOT be going to First Tech.

Wow, get with the times First Tech, your automated phone system doesn’t even give an option to hear the menu again, just hangs up on you, nice, not! Finally get thru to someone after 20 some rings, he can’t help me says he needs to transfer me to a different department, that’s fine no problem, only that department isn’t open, don’t transfer me to a department that isn’t there!!! Tell me they are closed and that I need to call back and what hours I can do that during, it’s called CUSTOMER SERVICE. And the fact that I can’t register for online banking without some temporary password that has to be gotten from this department that isn’t available is ridiculousness.

What Happened??? This used to be a great credit union.
I’ve been with the First Tech for 20 years. Now thanks to changes that make them more like BofA, I’m moving everything over to my other credit union.
They used to offer excellent Visa rates. Not anymore.
They used to give you access to a check deposit immediately. Not anymore. I’m going on 11 days and counting since a check deposit, the reason given by First Tech for the lock — I deposited more than $ 5000. (to pay-​off the overpriced Visa balance). Guess it’s expensive to be based out of Palo Alto. I’m sure someone thought that a move/​merger was a good idea.
Time to move on…
Also, I agree their letters to members about Visa increases (and also holds on deposits) leave a lot to be desired.

I opened an account for an estate that I am the executor for and needed to deposit checks for the property sold. Each time I’ve gone it to make a deposit there has been an issue of some sort or an extra bank fee. To deposit a $ 30,000 check from a Canadian bank I was charged an extra $ 15 and told they didn’t know when the deposit would show up in my account. When making a significant deposit like that I don’t expect to be charged extra and found their answers and customer service to be poor at best. I’m closing my account and taking my money to another bank that dosen’t nickel and dime me. They are making money off the fact that I have «deposited or loaned» them my money and should make an effort to make the experience less frustrating.

Ah, the mighty, how they have fallen…
Please read the following with a «tone» of disappointment and loss — not anger — I wish they were the same credit union that loaned me money for my first home 20 years ago…
:-(
Jacking up your interest rates on your credit card by 50% and then blaming it on your customers? How’s that working for you?
After the merger with Addison Credit Union several years ago — this is now a California run company that is acting like «your typical bank». I wish I would have voted NO on the merger with Addison CU in California… Big mistake.
I used to think of First Tech as «my credit union» — and I would always recommend first tech to coworkers, etc. But not any longer — my suggestion is to shop around at smaller, locally grown and owned credit unions. And if you can go somewhere else — do so… Onpoint, Rivermark, Advantis come to mind.
Me, I still have a Boeing Employees Credit Union (BECU) Account from when I worked there 30 years ago — now shifting all my banking away from First Tech.

I’ve been a member here for 35 years. Always had positive experience. CD, savings, mortgage and auto rates always beat the bank. 1^st tech is the reason big banks are scared. Great customer service, no fees, and can always speak to someone to work out any issues that may arise. With free ATM access at 7 – 11, it’s mostly convenient

First Tech is a great credit union. This is their main branch. Their customer service is always very very good. Their credit union offerings are normal/​average offerings. Their online system is pretty good. But their customer service is top notch. If you qualify for membership, I highly recommend this credit union. I use this branch occasionally, more commonly I use the Lloyd Center branch.
We have had many vehicle loans, 2^nd mortgages, multiple accounts, and investments through them. Very happy…
I am not sure about the 3 unhappy reviews (as of this time).
One maybe sounds legit… Although they don’t describe what the actual problem was — just that they had a problem, and it was real estate related. Considering all the problems in the real estate market in the last years I would take that with a grain of salt…
One is a complaint about them not having branches in Chicago: 1^st Tech is a local Pacific Northwest credit union. They are expanding, but if you want nationwide branches I suggest not using credit unions — look at a nationwide bank. Or get an account a local Chicago credit union.
One (a filtered one) is a complaint by a person who based on their review looks like they bought 4 houses and couldn’t pay for them and had to foreclose? I don’t even see how that is in any way 1^st Tech’s fault.

I’ve always banked with credit unions. Oregon Telco for 25 years when I worked at Qwest. After retirement, though, I wanted a bank closer to the house. at the time Oregon Telco (now Unitus C. U.) had just the one branch downtown and I live in the Beav.
All 3 of my kids started with Oregon Telco accounts, but all 3 had eventually changed to First Tech. formerly Tektronics C.U. as they are all in the computer industry. So I did too.
I love their website for ease of use. Since I hardly ever now have to go into a bank, except for occasional notary or check deposit needs, I do everything thru the website. Bill Pay is a snap and much more user friendly that Unitus CU’s site.
I guess it makes a difference knowing that computer programmers and other such geeks are going to be the ones who primarily use your website-​thus they don’t have crappy programming issues like Unitus had.
There was a period of time when I couldn’t access my Unitus CU mortgage account because I was suing a Mac. totally unacceptable.
I’m very pleased with my 10 year relationship with FTCU, can make deposits to all my grand kids accounts when it’s time for Nana to give a gift or help with school costs and of course have my pension and SS checks direct deposited.
Le Piece of Cake!

As a long time member of First Tech, I regularly recommend them to friends and family for financial services. The best part of belonging to a Credit Union is that it is a financial cooperative, where each member is a part owner of the Credit Union.
There are surprisingly few ways for members/​part owners to communicate directly with their Credit Union to share their thoughts and wishes about how the CU is operated. This is an area where First Tech is breaking new ground, they recently created a public facing blog where employees post blog entries and anyone can comment on them. Check it out at:

First Tech has EXCELLENT customer service (member service) and has plenty of branches in the Hillsboro area where I live and work. The one thing that keeps me from rating at 5 stars are their high service fees, (on par with banks) as noted in this industry study. Check it out at:

The agent’s verbal promises to me and my Realtor regarding my mortgage loan were false. I lost a house offer as a result.
Last week, my transfer from checking to credit card didn’t process. If i hadn’t noticed, I would have been subject to late fees. They said «sorry for the inconvenience, we’ve been having intermittent problems with transfers.»
Not happy, looking for another credit union.