First Tech FCU Personal Loans Review (2026)
First Tech Federal Credit Union personal loans isn't available on Finder right now.
- Max. Loan Amount
- $50,000
- APR
- 7.89% to 18%
- Min. credit score
Our verdict
Member-only credit union loans with fixed rates from 6.99% APR and no origination, application or prepayment fees
First Tech Federal Credit Union offers fixed-rate personal loans from $500–$50,000 with no application, origination or prepayment fees. Rates start low at 6.99% APR, but the loan amount you can actually borrow depends on the term you pick, and you have to join the credit union first. Approval can land within a business day, though First Tech doesn't publish a minimum credit score.
Best for: Borrowers who qualify for First Tech membership and want a fee-free fixed-rate loan.
Pros
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Wide range of loan amounts
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Quick turnaround
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No fees
Is First Tech legit?
Employees at Hewlett-Packard and Tektronix founded First Tech Federal Credit Union in 1952, and it’s been operating ever since. The National Credit Union Administration (NCUA) federally insures it and rates it among the safest credit unions in the country. It also operates dozens of physical branches and gives you access to the CO-OP shared branch and ATM network.
First Tech is BBB accredited and holds an A+ letter rating from the Better Business Bureau, which reflects how the company handles complaints rather than overall customer satisfaction.
What makes First Tech shine?
- Fee-free structure. No application, origination or prepayment fees on personal loans.
- Low starting APR. Rates begin at 6.99% for shorter terms, well under many online lenders.
- Fast decisions. First Tech approves most applications instantly or within one business day.
- Secured loan options. Savings- and certificate-secured loans let you borrow against your own funds at a lower rate.
- Soft-pull rate check. Checking your rate uses a soft credit pull that won’t affect your score.
Where First Tech falls short
- Membership required. You must join the credit union before you can apply for a loan.
- Undisclosed credit score minimum. First Tech doesn’t publish a minimum credit score on its website.
- Loan caps by term. Shorter terms max out at $35,000, not the full $50,000 headline amount.
- Limited branch footprint. Most members bank online or through shared branches rather than a First Tech location.
How First Tech compares to other lenders
Compare other products
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How we picked theseWhat is the Finder Score?
The Finder Score crunches 6+ types of personal loans across 50+ lenders. It takes into account the product's interest rate, fees and features, as well as the type of loan eg investor, variable, fixed rate - this gives you a simple score out of 10.
First Tech loan details
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Minimum credit score | Not listed on its website |
| APR | 6.99%–18.00% (fixed-rate loan) |
| Loan amounts | Varies by term: $500–$35,000 (24–36 months), $5,000–$35,000 (48 months), $10,000–$35,000 (60 months), $15,000–$50,000 (72 months), $20,000–$50,000 (84 months) |
| Loan terms | 6–84 months |
| Approval/funding turnaround | Most applications approved instantly or within one business day; funding as soon as the same day |
| State availability | Not listed on its website |
| Origination fee | None |
| Prepayment penalty | None |
| Late fee | Not listed on its website |
First Tech’s personal loans landing page advertises loans “from $500 to $50,000” and rates “6.99% to 18.00%” as a single range. Its published rate table breaks this down by term, and the $50,000 maximum is only available on 72- and 84-month terms. Shorter terms cap out lower, between $500 and $35,000 depending on term length.
First Tech contact info
| Phone | 855.855.8805 (24-hour, toll-free); +1 503.644.4034 (international) |
| Customer service hours | 24 hours, seven days a week (general phone line) |
| Not listed on its website | |
| X (formerly Twitter) | @Firsttechfed |
| facebook.com/Firsttechfed |
Calculate your monthly loan payments
Curious what a First Tech loan might cost each month? Plug in your loan amount, term and estimated rate below.
Personal loan repayment calculator
See how much you'll pay|
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How do you qualify for a First Tech loan?
You’ll need to be a First Tech member before you can apply, and membership opens up through several paths. To qualify you need to meet one of the following:
- Work for one of First Tech’s 1,700+ partner companies, including Amazon, Microsoft and Intel
- Live, work or worship in a participating community
- Work for the State of Oregon
- Belong to a participating organization
- Live in a participating condominium association
- Have a family or household member who’s already a First Tech member
If none of these apply, First Tech says you can still schedule an appointment to discuss other ways to qualify.
How to apply for a First Tech loan
Applying follows a simple online flow, though you’ll need to join the credit union first if you’re not already a member.
- Check your rate. This uses a soft credit pull that won’t affect your credit score.
- Choose your terms. Pick a loan amount and repayment term that fits your budget.
- Complete your application. This step involves a hard credit pull and requires proof of identity, address, employer and income details.
- Get your funds. Once approved, funding can arrive as soon as the same day.
First Tech reviews and complaints
| BBB accredited | Yes |
|---|---|
| BBB rating | B- |
| BBB customer reviews | 1 out of 5 stars, based on 12 customer reviews |
| Trustpilot Score | First Tech Federal Credit Union personal loans does not have any Trustpilot reviews. |
| Customer reviews verified as of | 19 October 2020 |
There’s a wide gap between First Tech’s A+ BBB letter grade, which reflects how the company responds to complaints rather than how happy customers are, and its BBB customer review score, which sits low at 1.89 out of 5. Recent complaints center on loan denials after prequalification, slow resolution of fraud or Zelle disputes and frustration with unresponsive customer service tools.
Positive reviews, by contrast, tend to describe smooth experiences with loan officers and account support reps by name, suggesting service quality varies a lot by representative and by issue type.
What do people on Reddit say?
We didn’t find a substantial, recent Reddit discussion specifically about First Tech’s personal loans at the time of writing.
Frequently asked questions
Your reviews
Megan B. Finder
Editor, Loans & Insurance
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