First Tech Federal has a range of personal and business banking products to choose from and offers 24/7 customer service. But you’ll need to meet eligibility requirements to become a member.
Am I eligible?
To become a First Tech Federal member, you must meet one of the following criteria:
Work for a company on First Tech Federal’s partner list
Work for the State of Oregon
Work or live in Lane County, Oregon
Belong to the Computer History Museum
Belong to the Financial Fitness Association
What banking products does First Tech Federal Credit Union offer?
Start Up Checking. An interest-bearing checking account for children that automatically converts to a First Checking Plus account at age 18.
First Checking Plus. A checking account offering 0.05% APY with no minimum balance requirement.
Carefree Checking. There are no monthly balance requirements or maintenance fees associated with this account but you won’t receive dividends.
Dividend Rewards Checking. An interest-bearing checking account with unlimited ATM fee rebates. To qualify for its 2.0% APY, you’ll need to enroll in e-statements, set up direct deposit and make a minimum of 12 debit purchases monthly.
HSA Checking. This health savings account offers 1.0% APY, has no account maintenance fees and is best for those enrolled in a high-deductible health plan.
Membership Savings. All First Tech Federal members are required to open this standard savings account before accessing any other banking products. You’ll need a $5 minimum opening deposit and it pays 0.05% APY.
Start Up Savings. Members under 17 can earn 5.00% or 0.10% APY depending on their account balance. At the age of 18, the account automatically converts to a Carefree Savings account.
Carefree Savings. Earn up to 0.10% APY with no maintenance fees and free overdraft transfers.
Instant Access Savings. You’ll need at least $5,000 to open this account but there are no monthly account fees and tiered interest rates up to 1.20% APY.
Traditional IRA Savings. A straightforward IRA that earns 0.05% APY with no monthly maintenance fees or minimum balance requirements.
Roth IRA Savings. An IRA for any age that earns 0.05% APY and has no maintenance fees or minimum balance requirements.
Traditional and Roth IRA Instant Access Savings. Tiered rates up to 1.20% APY are available after a minimum opening deposit of $5,000.
Coverdell Instant Access Savings. A minimum deposit of $5,000 is required but you’ll receive up to 1.20% APY on balances over $250,000.
Traditional Share Certificates. After an opening deposit of at least $500 you’ll access terms of six to 60 months and rates up to 2.50% APY on 60-month jumbo share certificates.
Bump Up Share Certificates. 13-, 24- and 36-month certificates are available with rates up to 2.35% APY and the option to increase your rate or balance over the course of your term.
Simple Business Checking. This simple business checking account comes with a debit card and access to online and mobile banking, but a $6 monthly maintenance fee applies to any balance that falls below $1,000.
Business Dividend Checking. This interest-bearing business checking account earns up to 0.10% APY but a daily balance of $5,000 or more is required to waive the $15 monthly maintenance fee.
Business Instant Access Savings. Tiered rates up to 1.0% APY are available but only on balances of $250,000 or more. You’ll also need at least $5,000 to open the account.
Business Membership Savings. With $5 you can open this business savings account offering no monthly fees and up to 0.05% APY.
Simple Business Savings. A no-frills accounts with no minimum balance requirement, no monthly fees and 0.05% APY.
Business Share Certificates. A minimum deposit of at least $500 is required for terms of six to 60 months and tiered rates up to 2.40% APY.
Loans. Lending products from First Tech Federal include mortgages, auto loans, student loan refinancing and both secured and unsecured personal loans.
Credit cards. First Tech Federal offers a number of personal credit cards with no annual fees, rewards points programs, and APRs as low as 10.99% – including its Platinum Rewards Mastercard.
Insurance. Access home, vehicle, life, health and pet insurance products through First Tech Federal’s insurance partners.
Why should I open an account at First Tech Federal Credit Union?
This credit union offers several perks that help distinguish it from the competition:
High-yield checking. First Tech Federal’s Dividend Rewards Checking offers up to 2.0% APY — an impressive rate for a checking account.
Minimal monthly fees. Most of this credit union’s checking and savings accounts have no monthly maintenance fees.
Fee-free ATMs. First Tech Federal is part of the CO-OP ATM network, which supports over 30,000 fee-free ATMs across the US.
24/7 customer service. First Tech Federal’s toll-free line is available 24/7.
What should I look out for?
Similar to other credit unions, you’ll need to meet certain criteria to become a member and open an account. Other drawbacks include:
Mediocre savings rates. Its savings account rate of 1.20% APY is nothing to sneeze at — you can find higher yield accounts elsewhere.
Poor online reputation. First Tech Federal is not an accredited business with the Better Business Bureau and has a rating of 2.1 out of 5 based on 138 reviews on its public Facebook page.
Limited branch network. First Tech Federal branches are only located in Washington, Oregon, California, Colorado, Idaho, Texas and Georgia.
Compare First Tech Federal to the competition
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What is the Finder Score?
The Finder Score crunches over 300 checking accounts from hundreds of financial institutions. It takes into account the product's monthly fees, overdraft fees, opening deposit, customer support options, ATM network and features — this gives you a simple score out of 10.
To provide a Score, Finder’s banking experts analyze hundreds of checking accounts against what we consider is the best option: no monthly fees, no overdraft fees, a large ATM network of 50,000 or more, additional features outside of typical banking services, and the optional perk of earning interest. Accounts that are nearly free to maintain and use are scored the highest, while accounts with costly fees and few features are scored the lowest.
24/7 Phone. Call 855-855-8805 to speak with a First Tech Federal rep.
Secure message. Log in to your online account to send a secure message through First Tech Federal’s Online Banking Message Center.
Social media. Connect with a rep through Facebook and X (formerlyTwitter).
In person. First Tech Federal has over 5,000 shared branches across the US.
Mail. Mail letters to PO Box 2100, Beaverton, OR 97075-2100.
Bottom line
First Tech Federal has a full suite of personal and business banking products to choose from, including checking and savings accounts, IRAs, share certificates, loans and insurance products. But you need to be a member to open an account and its branch network is limited.
Not sure this is the provider for you? Compare your bank and credit union options to find one that meets your needs.
Frequently asked questions
First Tech’s routing number is 321180379.
The CO-OP shared branch network was founded in 1981 and comprises a nationwide collection of banking services shared by over 3,500 credit unions. CO-OP has over 5,000 branches and 30,000 ATMs across the US.
Join First Tech Federal Credit Union online or at your nearest branch location. You’ll need the following:
Valid email address
Residential address
Employment information
Driver’s license
Social Security number
Account number and routing number of funding account
Shannon Terrell is a lead writer and spokesperson at NerdWallet and a former editor at Finder, specializing in personal finance. Her writing and analysis on investing and banking has been featured in Bloomberg, Global News, Yahoo Finance, GoBankingRates and Black Enterprise. She holds a bachelor’s degree in communications and English literature from the University of Toronto Mississauga. See full bio
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