First Entertainment Credit Union

Although I like being apart of this credit union, I am disappointed that the atm is located INSIDE this bank. While I understand it’s rare that there’s an ATM for any credit union, if there’s a bank location the ATM should be accessible.

New to this credit union, after having applied through a new employer. Communication has been spotty, not the best while trying to get the membership going and the first time I tried managing an online loan application. Going in person, however, is a much better experience. Make the time to bank face to face and things will get done much quicker and in friendly, attentive fashion. Angela in particular is a pleasure to work with.
A note re: the rates. They look great in the brochures and hopefully are valid in most scenarios, as I do intend to try again. However, I happened to fall into a situation where I felt it was a little of a bait and switch, maybe my fault for changing my mind on the car I was buying. I was initially quoted one rate for A paper credit and a new auto; when I decided on a used car instead they wanted to add a full FOUR percent to the APR. Not all used cars would have generated this same surcharge, just those 6 years or older. I feel this policy is outdated and not in keeping with current automobile technology. I was buying a perfectly maintained 2007 Prius with only 80K miles, in my mind not the kind of vehicle deserving of a 4% loan increase. I backed out of the loan, went to my husband’s credit union, and financed for less than 2% APR that same day. I wish I would have read the fine print and saved myself all the trouble.

I’ve been a member of this credit union for the best part of a decade now. I’ve never been disappointed with the service I’ve received there. The manager Angela Brown and her team are always efficient, friendly and understanding. My only regret is that I didn’t join First Entertainment sooner.

I am so glad I found this credit union. Angela, Lisa, and Darrel are always a pleasure to work with. Fantastic location and fantastic rates! Also, be sure to get your parking validated!

I’ve been a member at First Ent. for about 5 years. I don’t live in Santa Monica but I only come to this location. (There’s a branch 2 blocks from my house. LOL!) The staff are very welcoming and friendly. They are very professional and provide exceptional service. The branch manager, Angela, is amazing! She’s so sweet and helpful! She always makes sure I’m taken care of and is available to answer any questions I have regarding my accounts and loans. I applied for a loan and the process was quick and painless. I was approved within 2 days and received a check. I highly recommend this credit union and making this their home location. I have referred my friends to this branch as well and they are satisfied! Another happy customer.
Thanks Angela! :)

I went to apply for a loan here and the woman, Angela, was nice and all when I was speaking to her in person. She helped me to apply for a car loan and told me she would give me a call the following day to explain my options. I wait a few days and never receive a call back, so when I personally call her she briefly explains that I was declined. I mention the fact that she explained that she would call me back the following day, she tells me that they don’t normally call back if someone is declined and then hung up on me.

My First Entertainment Credit Union experience from the very first visit has been nothing short of tremendous and outstanding service. Warm and friendly staff including a personal approach to my banking needs initiated by the branch manager Ms. Angela Brown. They assist me with obtaining a banking solutions to meet every one of my banking needs. I’ve always felt better and encouraged after leaving their office as opposed to when I arrived with Dilemma’s. I tell everyone I know about FECU and their wonderful services.
I highly recommend this CU.
Thank you FECU !

This place is slooooooooow. My husband and I have separate accts here and have had many issues getting the basic checking accounts up and running. We were both separately, told that checks were ordered and after weeks of no checks I called to find they weren’t ordered. This was the first miscommunication of many, and it makes me miss my Northern CA credit union. At least they wouldn’t leave for lunch when there is a long line and difficult people delaying the tellers from moving on. Sigh.
Also why are there only 2 teller windows? And no ATM that you can make deposits in after hours???

We have been banking here for over 15 years and I would like to let you know how amazing all the staff are at this location! They courteous, kind, efficient and always helpful!
Today we went in to complete some complicated documents and Lisa Delci walked through the whole process painlessly! We felt so comfortable in her expert hands and we are very grateful for all her tremendous help in completing all the necessary paperwork.
Angela Brown the Manager of this location has also always been very friendly and helpful with any questions and advice needed.
I would highly recommend the Santa Monica branch of the Entertainment Credit Union to anyone looking for professional, efficient and outstanding service!!!

I’ve been coming here for years, and it wasn’t until I moved up North recently that I realized how amazing the magnitude of a teller with a sense of urgency and care for expediently assisting their customers speaks incredible volumes. I’ve been to two other FECUs, the one in Mid-​City and the one in Studio City. SM has it down and blows them out of the water. And we won’t even talk about the shared co-​op in the Excelsior district of San Fran, but you are more than welcome to read that prose. Unfortunately, because this is in a building connected to a corporate community that seemingly operates only Monday through Friday, there aren’t Saturday hours, and they don’t have a machine accessible outside of the credit union to do quick deposits or necessary atm transactions. This location could use both. They are open a little later on Fridays, which is helpful. Stay away from traditional paydays and lunch hours if you can manage. Otherwise, you’ll spend your entire break with the wolfpack of impatient LA snobs in line.

I chose 1^st Entertainment as a local CU (still keep a great CU in Oregon as primary) and based my choice on positive reviews on Unilocal and other sites. Lisa at the Santa Monica branch was helpful, professional and friendly — we traded house hunting frustrations and neighborhood tips while she set up my account. In short order, I was a member. Lisa went the extra mile to set up my on-​line account and download the mobile app — and walk me through the log-​ins to make sure all was good. Top tier customer service experience with a smile. We’re off to an excellent start. Side note — complimentary self-​parking on-​site (enter from Colorado). All the employees were welcoming and engaging to me and others who came in for business. Highly recommended at this first blush stage.

Great service and rates!
Lejla is fantastic and all of the staff make account service a breeze via email or phone if possible!
A++ overall.

I want to recognize the efficient, pleasant and hard working people at First Entertainment Credit Union. The tellers and mangers have worked there for what seems a long time and I’ve gotten to know them. It’s a great feeling to be appreciated as a customer and the staff really makes you feel welcomed.

Oh, how I do love my ladies & gents at the Santa Monica branch of First Entertainment Credit Union. Been a member for a minute, and it’s ALWAYS an enjoyable experience. I feel like I know these people. I came in yesterday and saw the lovely Angela Brown who asked me such sweet questions about my family, how they’re doing, etc. She remembered specifics even though it’s been months since I came there. THAT’S how business should be done… especially w/​longtime customers. There was another lady there at the window with a cute new hairdo, but I can’t remember her name. She’s always nice, too.
I told Angela how my family was doing and commented on an unfortunate incident I had JUST experienced on the phone: a woman named «Cindy» from First Entertainment was curt with me. A woman named Amy had left me a voice mail, which I was actually glad for because I needed to call the credit union. It wasn’t a pleasant message, but it wasn’t rude either. I returned the call wanting to speak w/​Amy, but got «Cindy» instead. Cindy began talking to me, and afterward I asked to speak to Amy. Cindy said, «Ok, I’ll transfer you to her so she can tell you what I just told you.» Then she abruptly transferred me. I got put through to Amy, and let her know that I’m a human being, and would appreciate being treated courteously. The funny thing about it is I wanted to THANK Amy for calling me, but this «Cindy» just assumed she knew what I wanted to speak w/​Amy about. ???
I give the credit union itself 5 stars. I give «Cindy» the big U2 — UNnecessary and UNkind. I know her attitude is not in line w/​the spirit of the Credit Union, but just thought I’d say something.

I can not put into words how professional and more importantly humane Ms. Angela Brown was at the Santa Monica Office of the First Entertainment Credit Union. Ms. Brown refinanced an unsecured personal loan for $ 2,650.00 that I had foolishly borrowed from CASHCALL a mere 7 days earlier. The interest had already accrued to $ 2,850.00 in a mere 7 days. The loan was for 48 months at $ 388.40 per month which had I made the minimum payment each month the final pay back would have been for $ 18,643.20. My loan for $ 2,650.00 at 24 payments of $ 146.00 comes to a total of $ 3,504.00. Considering my low FICO score due to my own poor financial decisions the loan was very fair indeed. If you ever find yourself in a financial trap I strongly suggest sitting face too face with your own personal banker and making a straight forward honest plea for help. I hope you are lucky enough to be treated as fairly and honestly as I was by my banker Ms. Angela Brown from 1^st Entertainment Credit Union in Santa Monica, Ca. And most importantly do not use or fill any applications out on the internet.
Much Thanks,
Eugene B. Kerry

I loved this location but don’t think I’ll be back… received a counterfeit bill from this CU. Keep in mind check your bills before you leave the CU I was told it’s my responsibility. I guess I’ll be buying one of those pins you check with.
P. S. I’m not getting my money back.
1 star for the location :-) no stars tor handling situations.

Love this location it is probably my favorite place to go to on the west side for a bank!
Nice staff, excellent location very aesthetic and I love the cool vibe of the people here!!!
They treat me so well and the line is never horrendous like regular banks!
Credit union rocks!!!

Although this is not my official credit union, I’m grateful for the shared branching network that First Entertainment participates in, which enables me to deposit checks that filter into my regular accounts back east. Shannyn, Camille and the rest of the staff have always been very helpful and diligent in processing my payments properly.
The only downside is the parking; since I’m not a member, I can’t get validation, but I’ve had lucky days where I can get one of the 2 meters right outside, and even luckier days when there was still an adequate amount of time left on said meters.
I’m very thankful that I can do this instead of mailing checks to my credit union across the country, and having a nice staff that works here makes it even more pleasant.

I’m so glad to have left Citibank and joined a credit union. You don’t have to belong to any entertainment union or anything to become a member. Just tell them you want in and you’re set. The folks are all very friendly here. The online access is robust. And I’m more thrilled than anything that my money isn’t being used by a major bank to leverage their legal gambling.