First Service Federal Credit Union logo

First Service Federal Credit Union in Columbus, OH

4.8/5
Google rating from 87 reviews

First Service Federal Credit Union is a member-owned financial cooperative serving eight Ohio counties with checking, savings, loans, and credit card products.

Data compiled from public sources · Google rating shown when a stored review count is available

First Service Federal Credit Union Review

First Service Federal Credit Union is a federally insured credit union operating in Franklin, Fairfield, Delaware, Pickaway, Madison, Morrow, Licking, and Union counties in Ohio. As a credit union, it operates as a member-owned cooperative rather than a for-profit institution, which shapes its service philosophy and product offerings. The organization provides comprehensive consumer banking services including deposit accounts, home loans, auto loans, motorsports financing, and a co-branded VISA credit card.

com. First Service offers several distinctive checking and savings products, including a Platinum Checking account with no minimum balance and unlimited transactions. 99% APR.

The credit union provides ancillary member benefits such as cell phone protection up to $800 per claim ($1,600 annually) for qualifying account holders, and a Save to have more listed context program offering quarterly and monthly cash prizes up to $5,000 for savings members. They also partner with LPL Financial for investment services through Seth Currens. As a credit union, First Service differentiates itself through member-centric governance, with members eligible to vote at annual membership meetings and participate in institutional decisions.

The organization emphasizes fraud prevention and security, explicitly warning members about common scams and never initiating calls requesting personal information verification. They provide financial education through their MoneyEdu program with monthly themes addressing credit scores, debt, and spending. The credit union maintains physical branch locations and hours information available online, combining digital accessibility with traditional in-person banking.

First Service is most appropriate for consumers in its eight-county Ohio service area seeking traditional banking products with credit union advantages including member ownership and typically lower fees. The main caveat is geographic limitation—membership and branch access are restricted to residents of their specific Ohio counties. Like all financial institutions, prospective members should verify current rates, fee structures, and eligibility requirements directly, as the website provides featured rates but not comprehensive rate disclosures or detailed fee schedules.

Services & Features

Auto loans with rates from 6.24% APR
Cell phone protection benefit up to $800 per claim
Financial education through MoneyEdu program
First Service VISA credit card with rates from 3.99% APR
Home loans and mortgages with rates from 4.875% APR
Investment services through LPL Financial partnership
Motorsports financing with rates from 8.24% APR
Online banking and account management
Online loan applications for multiple loan types
Online loan payment processing
Platinum Checking with no minimum balance and unlimited transactions
Save to Win prize-linked savings program

Feature Checklist

Mobile App
Online Portal
Score Tracking
Credit Education
Personal Advisor
Identity Theft Protection

Pros & Cons

Pros

  • No minimum balance and unlimited transactions on Platinum Checking account
  • Competitive loan rates including auto loans from 6.24% APR and mortgages from 4.875% APR
  • Cell phone protection benefit up to $800 per claim included with qualifying checking accounts
  • Save to have more listed context program offering cash prizes up to $5,000 for savings members
  • Member-owned credit union structure typically offering lower fees than banks
  • Federally insured by NCUA providing deposit protection up to standard limits
  • Partnership with LPL Financial for investment advisory services

Cons

  • Geographic restriction: membership limited to eight specific Ohio counties only
  • Website lacks comprehensive fee schedule and detailed rate disclosures
  • Limited information about minimum opening deposits or specific eligibility requirements
  • No apparent mobile app or fintech features mentioned on website
  • Featured rates marked with asterisks but 'More Rates' page not accessible from provided content

State Consumer Finance Context

This is state-level context for Credit Unions consumers in Columbus, OH. It does not confirm that First Service Federal Credit Union or this specific location is licensed.

State regulator

Ohio Department of Commerce Division of Financial Institutions

Key state rules to check

  • HB 123 (2018) reformed payday lending with 28% APR cap plus a monthly maintenance fee.
  • Short-term loans capped at $1,000 with minimum term of 91 days.
  • Monthly maintenance fee of up to 10% of original principal (max $30/month).

Source: CreditDoc state-law summary and listed public regulator resources. Verify licensing directly with the listed state regulator before relying on a provider.

Mortgage Lending Transparency

First Service Federal Credit Union processed 689 mortgage applications in 2023, with 85.8% recorded as approved across 4 states.

689

Applications

85.8%

Approval Rate

$183K

Avg Loan

4

States Served

Approval Rate by Applicant Income

Under $50K
53.6%
$50K–$100K
80.8%
$100K–$200K
89.3%
Over $200K
89.6%

Based on 689 applications. Income in thousands (reported by applicant).

States With Recorded Applications

Texas 474 apps · 82.7%
Arkansas 213 apps · 91.5%
Tennessee 1 apps · 100%
Kansas 1 apps · 100%

Source: CFPB Home Mortgage Disclosure Act (HMDA) Data, 2023. Applications include originated, approved, and denied loans.

Frequently Asked Questions

What services does First Service Federal Credit Union offer?

First Service Federal Credit Union offers 12 services including Platinum Checking with no minimum balance and unlimited transactions, Home loans and mortgages with rates from 4.875% APR, Auto loans with rates from 6.24% APR, Motorsports financing with rates from 8.24% APR, First Service VISA credit card with rates from 3.99% APR, and 7 more.

What profile signals are listed for First Service Federal Credit Union?

First Service Federal Credit Union has profile signals associated with Ohio residents in Franklin, Fairfield, Delaware, Pickaway, Madison, Morrow, Licking, or Union counties seeking full-service banking, Borrowers looking for competitive auto and mortgage rates within the service area, Members who value credit union member-ownership and community-focused banking philosophy, Savers interested in prize-linked savings through the Save to have more listed context program.

What are the strengths and weaknesses of First Service Federal Credit Union?

Key strengths: No minimum balance and unlimited transactions on Platinum Checking account; Competitive loan rates including auto loans from 6.24% APR and mortgages from 4.875% APR; Cell phone protection benefit up to $800 per claim included with qualifying checking accounts. Areas to consider: Geographic restriction: membership limited to eight specific Ohio counties only; Website lacks comprehensive fee schedule and detailed rate disclosures.

How does First Service Federal Credit Union compare to similar companies?

In the Credit Unions category, comparable providers include Hoosier United Credit Union, Public Service Credit Union, TDECU Fort Worth. Each company has different strengths, so compare services, pricing, and consumer complaint records before deciding what to do next.

CreditDoc Profile Note

Research Note on First Service Federal Credit Union

First Service Federal Credit Union is profile signals for Ohio consumers in its eight-county service area seeking traditional banking products with credit union advantages. The primary caveat is strict geographic restriction—the credit union does not serve customers outside its designated counties, making it unsuitable for those outside this region regardless of product quality.

Profile Signals

  • Ohio residents in Franklin, Fairfield, Delaware, Pickaway, Madison, Morrow, Licking, or Union counties seeking full-service banking
  • Borrowers looking for competitive auto and mortgage rates within the service area
  • Members who value credit union member-ownership and community-focused banking philosophy
  • Savers interested in prize-linked savings through the Save to have more listed context program
Updated 2026-05-08

Similar Companies

Hoosier United Credit Union logo

Hoosier United Credit Union

Indianapolis-based credit union offering checking, savings, loans, and mortgages to members since 1931. Member-owned financial cooperative with three local branch locations.

4.2/5

Google rating from 19 reviews

BBB: NR

Profile signals: Indianapolis-area residents or credit union-eligible members seeking personal banking with relationship-based service, Auto and mortgage borrowers prioritizing rate claims to verify and published application timing/funding timelines

Public Service Credit Union logo

Public Service Credit Union

Metro Detroit credit union offering checking, savings, personal loans, auto loans, and home equity products with rate claims to verify and member-focused service.

4.9/5

Google rating from 64 reviews

BBB: NR

Profile signals: Metro Detroit residents seeking local credit union membership with personal service relationships, Consumers prioritizing identity theft protection and fraud awareness education

TDECU Fort Worth logo

TDECU Fort Worth

TDECU Fort Worth is a not-for-profit credit union member center offering lobby and drive-thru banking, ATMs, wire transfers, and notary services.

3.1/5

Google rating from 53 reviews

BBB: NR

Profile signals: Educators and employees of eligible organizations seeking member-owned banking with cooperative benefits, Consumers with access to multiple ATM network fee context who value not-for-profit alignment

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Quick Summary

  • First Service Federal Credit Union is listed as a Credit Unions provider in Columbus, OH on CreditDoc.
  • Use this page to check contact details, location, listed services, review signals, FAQs, and similar providers before deciding what to do next.
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