In 1938, a small group of dedicated and concerned teachers met for the purpose of forming a financial cooperative for school employees and their families. From these very humble beginnings, Valley Strong Credit Union was founded and formed.
The first Valley Strong office was actually a small room located in the library of a... show more
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Valley Strong Credit Union Reviews
The WalletHub rating is comprised of reviews from both WalletHub users and ratings on other reputable websites. The rating was last updated on 03/21/2024.
3.6
425 reviews
from WalletHub and across the web
425 reviews from WalletHub and across the web
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Most Recent
David Fawcett
@1276Fawcett
1 Star Rating
This place is an absolute joke! I apply for a loan with power pay, buried in the fine print is that I have to open a five dollar account with Valley Strong. Power pay never says a word to me, valley strong never says a word to me until they sent me threatening emails that I owe them a three dollar fee because my account is inactive. They have the worst customer service and all they do is continue to threaten me with these. Never use them.
Product: Valley Strong Credit Union Personal Loans
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Chris Dudley
@chrisrdudley
1 Star Rating
Was or seemed like a good banking choice until I witnessed on my account that my transactions were manipulated in order for the bank to charge me upwards of $150 in fee’s. Trust is now gone, I’ll have to watch everything daily until I transfer my family accounts elsewhere but I guess I understand now how they could afford to give every new member $250 or $500 shared if a business is referred…. Shady.
Product: Valley Strong Credit Union Checking
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azorich
@azorich
5 Star Rating
Efrain, Sr Loan Officer & Kerry, his Loan Processor are THE BEST. Easiest process ever - cannot say enough good things. Thx U!
Product: Valley Strong Credit Union Mortgages
Comment
Debraroberts145
@Debraroberts145
5 Star Rating
Excellent and always a call away!! I have used the online chat and they are always prompt with helping when I need help and sending notices if you are 10 days after your due date for paying for your car loan.
Product: Valley Strong Credit Union Car Loans
Comment
1 Star Rating
Lol. I paid off two car loans in the past 18 months with them. They are not local, and their app takes forever to process payments. They are the reason for being behind. I made each of these payments at least 14 days before the "30 days" mark, but the app doesn't work correctly. If you call and pay over the phone, you can expect to pay an additional $15 fee. I 84646 12th
Product: Valley Strong Credit Union Car Loans
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Tina Madan
@1ladybenz
5 Star Rating
My experience with Valley Strong has been fantastic for the home re-finance. The loan closed with great rate and lower payments and I am very pleased with the overall service and expediency with my re-finance. Valley Strong has some of the lowest re-finance rates and being a credit union, they do not have to be involved or affiliated with the "big banks" mumbo jumbo. They stand alone and do what they say they are going to do. I couldn't be happier. Thank you Valley Strong.
Product: Valley Strong Credit Union Mortgages
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Ronald
@ronald_castillo1
4 Star Rating
Thanks a lot for the account. I like it.
Product: Valley Strong Credit Union Credit Cards
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sam_mawad
@sam_mawad
1 Star Rating
I have been dealing with Kern Schools for a long time. Service is good and rates are good. I went to them in Jan 2019 for a Loan to pay off a credit card. They promote these loans every year. I have good credit score so I got a 5.99% interest. I was happy and I was paying it with more than the minimum due. When Valley Strong came and took over Kern Schools I was hoping that the good service would not go away and that is what happened. Suddenly my loan went from 5.99% to 10% at a time when the government lowered the interest rate and at a time when people are vulnerable due to Covid-19. I called and asked them what happened but they did not have a convincing reason especially that my credit score is still the same. To me the new management is taking advantage of people especially at this time. I will not give them my business again
Product: Valley Strong Credit Union Personal Loans
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Jeanne Galvan
@jmn1963
You could contact a news station about that.
Comment
4wtrmail
@4wtrmail
1 Star Rating
Is anyone else out there having serious problems with the credit card alert by Valley Strong? Never a problem with KSFCU. Please.reply. Thanks. RW
Product: Valley Strong Credit Union Credit Cards
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Casandra Alvarado
@yumechan
4 Star Rating
I haven’t had my Kern Schools credit union account for many years. Originally, satisfied with Chase bank’s services, I was required to open a second account to receive federal grant aid for schooling. My parents were big advocates of the small-time feel of Kern Schools, though my concerns ran toward occasional problems with deposits, check losses and insecurity of few branches. My fears were soon allayed once I joined the credit union.
While it’s true there could be some improvement on the lagging deposit process and the opening of more branches in my area, service is exemplary. I’ve never had a real problem that can’t be solved by calling up the branch during operating hours.
Product: Valley Strong Credit Union Checking
Comment
Ryan Cotton
@racotton
5 Star Rating
My experience with Kern Schools Federal Credit Union has been absolutely fantastic. When I first opened my checking account there several years ago I was delighted with the friendliness of the staff. I have always been comfortable with the tellers and at one point the employees at the branch I frequented even began to remember my name. Kern Schools offers many services, and I have utilized both checking and savings accounts there. The opportunity to buy discounted tickets through them is also a plus. I have recommended this credit union to several of my family members, and will continue to in the future.
Product: Valley Strong Credit Union Checking
Comment
Ruth
@rwhipk
3 Star Rating
I have had a Kern Schools bank account for about five years now. Most of the time their service is pretty good, but some of downsides come with it being a small, local credit union. I previously had a Chase account but when my university makes us get a Kern Schools account for our financial aid. Direct deposits seems to take a little longer than normal. Also, their hours are very limited and if you have an after hours question you will not find anyone to answer it. Sometimes their computer system gets messed up and it takes a while to correct errors or get money back if there was an accidental withdrawal. Other than that, the tellers are very friendly and helpful.
Product: Valley Strong Credit Union Checking
Comment
Billy Martin
@darthbill1978
5 Star Rating
I have been a member of Kern Schools federal credit union over over 10 years now. I use Kern schools primarily for checking and savings. I have never had any kind of problem with them whatsoever. I girls at the windows are always super friendly and very helpful and knowledgeable. A couple of years ago i had an incident that someone had stolen my ATM card and had been using it, they had taken over $1200 out of my account within a couple of days and i didnt even realize it. When i reported it to them they got on it and didnt wait, they finished the investigation rather quickly and i had all my money returned to me within 5 days. I expected to wait alot longer but they did a great job. Nothing but good things to say about this Credit Union. A Kern Schools Customer for life.
Product: Valley Strong Credit Union Checking
Comment
Tayci
@taycibear
4 Star Rating
I like Kern Schools and I like that you can count your change for free if you are a member. You get a lot of great discounts on theme park tickets and they have a lot of locations. You still have to fill out an application with pen and paper and it can be a hustle to open up a new account. If you have any sort of bad history with other banks you have to get in writing that the issue was resolved which can be a big pain. Overall I don't think they are a bad bank and are really good if you want local service.
Product: Valley Strong Credit Union Checking
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Casandra
@cnh49
5 Star Rating
Kern Schools Credit Union has a very friendly staff that gives service with a smile. I have been a member of this bank for six years. They have made a lot of chances in the past couple years, but I feel as if it helped better their customer service and the speed of check out, especially on Fridays. I switched to Kern Schools from Wells Fargo and would highly recommend the switch. I do not plan on moving out of Bakersfield for a while so I will continue to be a loyal customer for many years to come. Thanks Kern Schools!
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Review Valley Strong Credit Union
Valley Strong Credit Union Offers
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Mortgages
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Savings
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Valley Strong Credit Union Q&A(1 question)
Get answers to your questions about Valley Strong Credit Union below. Editorial and user-generated content is not provided, reviewed or endorsed by any company. Please keep in mind that it is not a financial institution’s responsibility to ensure all posts and questions are answered.
Upvotes
Do I have to be associated with schools to be a member?
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WalletHub
@WalletHub
In order to join Kern Schools Federal Credit Union you need to meet one of the following requirements: 1) live, work, worship, or attend school in Kern County, California, 2) have a business or a legal entity in Kern County, California, 3) be a family or household member of an eligible member of Kern Schools or 4) be an employee of Kern Schools' Select Employee Groups. You can join by visiting the following link: https://ksfcu.org/join-today/.
