California Coast Credit Union

Great bank for building credit. No hidden fees.

Sooo… second review… same as the first. This time, let’s focus on the web interface. I have a credit card and several accounts with CCCU and they put me on paperless statements. But a few months ago… I could no longer access the electronic version of statements (ONLY STATEMENTS for the credit card), and when I called «Customer Service» (quotes to denote that they are not really a group that conducts anything I’d call customer service)…and they told me that it was my issue because I used Firefox web browser and their statements were no longer compatible with that browser… and that I needed to switch to Chrome… then a few months later… IT DOESN’T WORK with CHROME either! REALLY? ARE YOU KIDDING ME?
Who writes this stuff (being their lackluster web interface). SOOO glad my mortgage is paid off with these folks… time to find a real financial institution who has heard about BETA TESTING!

I have been a member of this bank for half a decade and I can’t get over how 1.) I get nickel and dimed every chance they get 2.) how poor their customer service is 3.) how bad their online banking system is!
I have another account at another credit union (USE Credit Union and even another regular bank– Union Bank) and they never give me a hassle on anything. I have a question they answer no problem. This CCCU account was for my fun money and I can’t tell you how ridiculous their international fees are, how their website is hard to use, how many times I’ve gotten charged for fees I didn’t deserve. Then I have to call the bank and tell them the problem and they respond with a whole lot of attitude which is just an inconvenience.
I’m going to cancel this account. While I know no bank is prefect, this bank really does make things more difficult than they need to be.

When you start a new account, they ask for a reference of someone else who already banks with them. I’m new to the area and don’t have that, so they accepted my business reluctantly. They treat my account as suspicious. There is a SEVEN day hold on every check I deposit for the first SIXTY days! Ask them about this before you set up your account. If I had known, I would have gone somewhere else, but I was already most of the way through the new account process so I went along with it.
Now I am really regretting it. When I tried setting up an external transfer online, it asked me to call customer service. Customer service informed me that they do not allow external transfers on accounts newer than ninety days to make sure the account is in «good standing». Ugh. Am I a new customer or an ex-​con? (I am NOT an ex-​con) I need to be able to transfer money to my old account while my auto pay transfers over. Apparently I haven’t earned the right!
They will not loan on a car over 100k miles. I have four Hondas over 200k, two of them over 300k, all had been financed through my previous credit union. They all run great and pass emissions, never break down, and the insurance, maintenance, repairs, tires, and fuel economy make so much more financial sense than buying a late model car.
I really liked my previous credit union but have found none like it here. I’m just going to go to a regular bank where there are two day holds and there isn’t so much paranoid mistrust.

Have been a member of this CU for over 12 years. Had too many bad customer service experience in last few years. Too many snotty employees and branch manager, still trying to live their past glory. Brought many family and friends here over the years. I will make sure to move my cash assets from this bank and urge my family and friends to do the same. If they can not respect a 12 year membership they don’t deserve any right to make money out of my assets. Hey time has changed try to hire more reasonable folks and also bring some diversity in management level. Offcourse I see lot of diversity among tellers since its the lowest paying job. Lets see how well you will do with your current schmucks.

Horrible customer service, called today to find out information on an old active account. Not helpful, wasted time and not courteous whatsoever. One of the worst Credit Unions, now happily at Wells Fargo.

I’ve been a member of this credit union for many years. I’ve always had nothing but good experiences here.
I stopped in today to get a credit union check (similar to a cashier’s check). One of the conveniences they offer… and free too. I like that they offer free online banking and bill pay. I also like that I can use any other credit union or 7 eleven ATM without getting charged extra.
If you compare features offered, fees, and requirements, you’ll understand why I chose California Coast over the bank.

The perfect model for how it should be in regards to banking. Everyone from the manager, Jane, on down presents as professional, helpful and friendly. My home branch in Hillcrest (see review) is in stark contrast to this branch, which I go out of my way to do my banking. Oftentimes, I’ll see Jane (the manager) working the teller windows when the line is longer than say 4 – 5 people. Pure professionalism. This branch is the sole reason I continue to bank with California Coast.

I have financed multiple vehicles using CCCU. They are always helpful and have great rates! I think they are an amazing bank and it is easy to get a hold of someone if you need something.
I will eventually switch over from BOA to CCCU as my primary banking institution, but that is a big hassle because I have a regular checking and savings at BOA as well as a small business account.

Very happy with this credit union. Great staff and looking out for their customers. Good interest rates on loans and credit cards and not a bunch of hidden fees. Love this bank.

This review is for the Cal Coast Credit Union brand of Clairemont in San Diego and more specifically Amber Tenneson whom I’ve had the pleasure to deal with again and again. I got an auto loan and Amber made everything clear, straight forward and easy. She is also always helpful and always replies to calls or email quickly. I later sold the car and then again she was very helpful with that process too. I would give her 6 stars if it was possible. Fantastic experience, and awesome person to deal with. Thanks again Amber. –Kevin

I forgot to update this review from a couple of years ago. CAL Coast made good on my money — they put it back. As credit unions and banks go, they’re pretty good. I don’t know of any bank or credit union I would give more stars to. The tellers are friendly, online services are user-​friendly, fees aren’t TOO bad (but then what fees are ever good??).

Recently refinanced a vehicle here with Amber and MAN, was she helpful. Very painless experience and she told us what she could offer us, plain and simple. Also signed up my husband with a new account! I love coming here. Everyone is always so helpful and quick. Can’t wait to do business again soon with California Coast. Thanks Amber!

Great branch and customer service at this location. I preffered sticking with this branch instead of joining Navy Fed or USAA after joining the military. I’ve never had a problem here.
After reading peoples negative reviews I find it funny they would give a 1 star rating. Don’t let them persuade you in not using this branch.

Easy parking, lots of tellers, lots of bankers, great helpful and accomodating staff. This location is not my neighborhood regular, but still very convenient central location, near Target, banks, groceries, etc.
Customer service is impeccable. Had a problem with a company attempting multiple times to audodraft from my account and fixed that quickly and efficiently with full reversal of fees! Won’t get that at BOA!

Great customer service! A credit union is the way to go and Cal Coast is the best!

I recently dumped my mainstream bank for an account with California Coast Credit Union and I couldn’t be happier! Everyone here is knowledgeable and friendly, from the front desk associate, to the tellers, to the personal bankers.
Also, my husband and I recently went on a kick of rolling this ginormous vat of coins he’s been collecting for more than a decade… Cal Coast not only gave me tons of free coin wrappers, but they’ll also let you cash out/​deposit up to 10 rolls of coins each day, which is more than a lot of banks allow!

Since all of the mess went down with the big banks in 2008, I have been on a crusade to find a place that didn’t treat ME as an ATM lol. So I went on a hunt, asking anybody and everybody what they thought were good alternatives. What was kind of surprising was that most of my relatives and friends were with and continued to stay with the big banks. Anyway, despite little information, I eventually got a few nods in the direction of California Coast Credit Union, so I went down there and scoped it out.
What separates CCCU from the big banks is there attention to YOU, and it isn’t phony. They actually listen, are flexible and worked with me. They also educated me, because one of the reservations I had was convenience. But one of the facts I found out was that because credit unions share their networks with each other, their reach is actually greater than that of any one big bank. Amazing!
Go here and bank with these guys, you deserve it, and they deserve your business.

I originally opened an account with California Coast Credit Union at the Oceanside branch because they were kind enough to take a chance on good kid with bad credit and back my car loan.
Since then, I have opened a checking account, savings account, and have a PAL line of credit with them. I have been to the branches in San Marcos, Oceanside and La Mesa, but this is my local branch since I moved to Clairemont a year ago.
Customer Service here is EXCELLENT! EVERY time! From EVERY teller! I go in maybe only two or three times a month and still they all know me by name before I even give them my ID for verification. It really does have a comfortable Mayberry-​esque feel to it. (You know, if Mayberry had Filippino or Latin or Black people in it. .. .)
Not to say there haven’t been issues or problems. You remember what Biggie said. But the manner in which they handle issues is what makes the difference. Whether the error has been mine or theirs, they are always quick to communicate with me and never leave me feeling ashamed (overdraft guilt!) or stupid (what does THAT fee mean?).
I love it so much that I got my roomies to sign-​up, too! Not only did we each get a referral bonus, but they have an awesome feature that allows you to cross transfer funds to different accounts as long as both account owners consent! This makes bill paying SO easy! We just transfer money to one account and cut one check or use the FREE money order that comes with having a checking account!
Give this place a try and I promise you will NEVER go back to Bastards of America or Fat Cat cookie cutter corporate banks ever again!

This is a really good credit union. My son has his bank account here and when we go into California Coast to do banking, it is always nice and friendly there. They will do printouts of your account for free and there is hardly ever a wait where you have to stand in line forever.
My friend got a car loan from this credit union and she says they are cool. I like the shopping center they are in-​in the middle of all the action on Balboa Avenue and Genesee, A big, remodeled Target is right around the corner parking lot and Starbucks and Boston Market are a quick stroll down the driveway.
I drop a lot of dough up here so it helps when there is a nice bank nearby to fund all those shopping trips.