First South Financial logo

First South Financial in Bartlett, TN

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Member-owned credit union serving Greater Tennessee with full-service banking, lending, and investment products. NCUA-insured with top 1% national safety rating.

Data compiled from public sources

First South Financial Review

First South Financial is a federally-chartered credit union serving the Greater Tennessee region, positioning itself as a community-focused financial institution. The organization emphasizes membership benefits and local presence through multiple branch locations and ATM networks across Tennessee. The credit union offers a comprehensive suite of financial products including checking and savings accounts, CDs and IRAs, credit cards (Visa Platinum variants), personal loans, auto loans, mortgages, home equity lines of credit (HELOCs), and student loan refinancing.

They provide business banking services including commercial real estate loans, business credit cards, and lines of credit. Additional offerings include health savings accounts (HSAs), investment services, prepaid cards, and VISA gift cards. The organization also serves Spanish-speaking members through dedicated Hispanic Member Services.

99% APR HELOCs, 0% APR balance transfer credit cards, and member referral bonuses ($50 per successful referral). They advertise being ranked in the top 1% nationally for safety and soundness. The credit union emphasizes member education through calculators, how-to guides, FAQs, and a newsletter subscription service.

As a credit union, First South operates on a not-for-profit, member-owned model with NCUA insurance protection. The rate claims to verify advertised suggest active market positioning, though these represent promotional rates requiring specific balance or usage requirements.

Services & Features

Auto loans with pre-approval and promotional financing
Business checking and savings accounts
Business credit cards
Business lines of credit
Certificates of Deposit (CDs) and IRAs
Checking accounts with overdraft privilege
Commercial real estate loans
Health Savings Accounts (HSA)
High-yield savings accounts and money market accounts
Home Equity Lines of Credit (HELOCs) and home equity loans
International accounts and services
Investment services and financial advisory
Mortgages (purchase and refinance)
Personal loans and Fresh Start Saver Loans
Prepaid cards and VISA gift cards
Student loan refinancing for undergraduate and graduate borrowers
Visa Platinum credit cards (multiple variants including Titanium/Edge, Flex Rewards, Advantage, Fresh Start, Share Secured)
Wire transfers and payment services
Youth savings accounts

Feature Checklist

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

Pros & Cons

Pros

  • Top 1% nationally ranked for safety and soundness (NCUA-insured)
  • High-yield checking at 6.25% APY on balances up to $10,000
  • Competitive HELOC rate at 1.99% APR
  • 0% APR for 12 months on balance transfer credit cards with 3X travel rewards
  • Member referral program offering $50 bonuses for both parties
  • $75 incentive for switching direct deposit
  • 60-day no-payment auto loan promotion ('Drive Today, Pay Later')
  • Full-service mortgage lending with multiple loan options
  • Spanish-language member services and Hispanic community focus
  • Member-owned, not-for-profit structure aligned with member interests

Cons

  • Geographic limitation to Greater Tennessee region may restrict membership or service accessibility
  • No information provided about membership eligibility requirements or field of membership restrictions
  • Promotional rates require meeting specific conditions (balance limits, direct deposit, etc.) that may not apply to all members
  • Limited detail on fee structures, monthly maintenance costs, or overdraft policies beyond mention of 'Overdraft Privilege'
  • No transparency provided regarding asset size, member count, or competitive positioning relative to other regional credit unions

State Consumer Finance Context

This is state-level context for Credit Unions consumers in Bartlett, TN. It does not confirm that First South Financial or this specific location is licensed.

State regulator

Tennessee Department of Financial Institutions

Key state rules to check

  • Payday loans (deferred presentment) capped at $500 with maximum fee of 15% of the advance.
  • Maximum loan term is 31 days.
  • Borrowers limited to two outstanding payday loans at a time.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

What services does First South Financial offer?

First South Financial offers 19 services including Checking accounts with overdraft privilege, High-yield savings accounts and money market accounts, Health Savings Accounts (HSA), Certificates of Deposit (CDs) and IRAs, Youth savings accounts, and 14 more.

What profile signals are listed for First South Financial?

First South Financial has profile signals associated with Tennessee residents seeking member-owned, not-for-profit banking with top-tier safety ratings, Consumers interested in promotional high-yield checking and competitive lending rates, Spanish-speaking members requiring dedicated bilingual banking services, Small business owners needing comprehensive business banking and commercial lending services.

What are the strengths and weaknesses of First South Financial?

Key strengths: Top 1% nationally ranked for safety and soundness (NCUA-insured); High-yield checking at 6.25% APY on balances up to $10,000; Competitive HELOC rate at 1.99% APR. Areas to consider: Geographic limitation to Greater Tennessee region may restrict membership or service accessibility; No information provided about membership eligibility requirements or field of membership restrictions.

How does First South Financial compare to similar companies?

In the Credit Unions category, comparable providers include Alcoa Tenn, Appliance, Ascend. Each company has different strengths, so compare services, pricing, and consumer complaint records before deciding what to do next.

Quick Facts

Founded
1957
Headquarters
Bartlett, TN
BBB Accredited
No
Certifications
NCUA Insured Charter #24963
Visit First South Financial

CreditDoc Profile Note

Research Note on First South Financial

First South Financial is best suited for Tennessee-based consumers and small business owners seeking member-owned credit union banking with competitive promotional rates and a strong safety record. The primary caveat is geographic limitation to Greater Tennessee—potential members outside this region should verify field of membership eligibility, and those relying on promotional rates must confirm they meet specific balance or usage requirements.

Profile Signals

  • Tennessee residents seeking member-owned, not-for-profit banking with top-tier safety ratings
  • Consumers interested in promotional high-yield checking and competitive lending rates
  • Spanish-speaking members requiring dedicated bilingual banking services
  • Small business owners needing comprehensive business banking and commercial lending services
Updated 2026-05-14

Similar Companies

Alcoa Tenn logo

Alcoa Tenn

Alcoa Tenn Federal Credit Union is a member-owned, NCUA-insured financial institution serving Blount, Loudon, and Monroe Counties in Tennessee with over 90 years of history.

BBB: NR

Profile signals: Tennessee residents in Blount, Loudon, or Monroe Counties seeking community-based financial services, Members prioritizing deposit safety and NCUA federal insurance protection

Appliance logo

Appliance

Appliance Credit Union is a member-owned financial institution offering checking, savings, loans, and credit cards with 24/7 digital access via mobile app and online banking.

BBB: NR

Profile signals: Credit union members seeking integrated digital and branch banking with strong mobile access, Borrowers needing vehicle, personal, or mortgage loans from a member-owned institution

Ascend logo

Ascend

Ascend Federal Credit Union is a not-for-profit credit union offering checking, savings, loans, credit cards, and business services with rate claims to verify and member-focused benefits.

BBB: NR

Profile signals: Eligible employees of Ascend's partner organizations seeking rate claims to verify on deposits and loans, Consumers prioritizing high-yield checking and savings rates over branch network size

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Quick Summary

  • First South Financial is listed as a Credit Unions provider in Bartlett, TN 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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