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Updated July 2026 · real, multi-region App Store reviews
Head-to-head

Ascend Federal Credit Union vs America First Credit Union

Ascend Federal Credit Union 4.9★ · Free to download · ⚠ stale 60
Winner America First Credit Union
America First Credit Union 4.8★ · Free to download · ⚠ stale 65

America First Credit Union has a slight edge over Ascend Federal Credit Union due to its more consistent app performance and better-regarded customer service, despite both apps facing significant user complaints about bugs and transaction delays.

Full reviews: Ascend Federal Credit Union · America First Credit Union

Both Ascend Federal Credit Union and America First Credit Union apps receive mixed reviews, with many users praising their respective credit unions but criticizing app functionality. America First Credit Union appears to have a slight advantage in overall app stability and customer support, though both struggle with login issues and transaction visibility.

Head to head

Features tieR17R31R39R40
Ascend Federal Credit Union Ascend users appreciate being able to manage finances, view all accounts, and transfer money, but some recent updates removed features like card lock and easy access to linked accounts for deposits R31. Issues with Zelle functionality have also been reported R17R39R40.
America First Credit Union America First users value card controls, the ability to track spending, and categorized transactions . However, some users report difficulty making online payments, transferring funds between accounts, and using Zelle . The app also lacks a clear distinction between cards for joint accounts .
Ease of Use tieR3R4R5R11
Ascend Federal Credit Union Many Ascend users find the app easy to use and navigate R5R11. However, recent updates have led to complaints about a confusing layout, difficulty finding information like loan due amounts, and a less intuitive interface R3R4.
America First Credit Union America First users often describe the app as easy to navigate and simple to use . Conversely, some find it difficult to navigate, outdated, and not user-friendly, with functions sometimes falling off-screen on smaller devices .
Reliability tieR1R3R4R6
Ascend Federal Credit Union Ascend's app is frequently described as buggy, laggy, and prone to glitches R1R3R4R6. Users report issues with mobile deposits, login problems, and slow transaction posting, sometimes taking days R1R9R13.
America First Credit Union America First users report frequent issues with the app, including constant maintenance, login failures, Face ID not working, and slow loading times R63. Transactions are also noted to be slow to appear .
Price/Value tieR2R14R23R29
Ascend Federal Credit Union Ascend is free to download, but one user reported unexpected low balance fees R37. Many users express long-term satisfaction with the credit union's service and support during tough times, suggesting good overall value R2R14R23R29.
America First Credit Union America First is free to download. Users express strong loyalty and satisfaction with the credit union's overall value, with some being members for decades .
Support edge: America First Credit UnionR2R7R8R11
Ascend Federal Credit Union Ascend receives high praise for its friendly, helpful, and outstanding customer service R2R8R11R14. However, some users have had negative experiences with support, including sessions being ended early or receiving vague responses R7.
America First Credit Union America First is frequently commended for its excellent customer service, with members feeling supported and able to get questions answered . Despite this, some users report long hold times and unhelpful representatives, with calls being transferred multiple times or dropped .
Pick Ascend Federal Credit Union if

You prioritize a credit union with a strong community feel and generally friendly staff, and you are willing to tolerate occasional app glitches and slower transaction updates R2R8R14R15.

Pick America First Credit Union if

You value consistent customer service and an app that, while still buggy, is generally perceived as easy to navigate and offers useful financial management tools .

Evidence note: Both apps have a high lifetime rating, but recent reviews for both show significant dissatisfaction with app functionality, particularly after updates. Many positive reviews for both apps focus on the credit union itself rather than the mobile app, which can skew the overall rating.

Frequently asked

Do these apps have issues with mobile deposits?
Yes, both apps have reported issues with mobile deposits. Ascend users frequently complain about the camera being wonky, difficulty aligning checks, and the feature being broken for extended periods R13R19R21R22. America First users also report that the app won't read checks for deposit and that mobile deposit times are often inaccurate, leading to delays .
Are there frequent login problems with these apps?
Yes, both apps frequently experience login problems. Ascend users report being locked out, issues with password entry, and problems setting new passwords R1R36R37. America First users consistently face authentication failures, Face ID not working, and needing to constantly update or re-enter passwords R63.
How do transactions appear in the apps?
Transactions in both apps are often reported as not being real-time and taking several days to post. Ascend users mention that it can take 3-4 days for transactions to show up or clear, and pending transactions may remain pending for days R9R15R16R24. America First users also complain about transactions being slow to appear, with some not showing up for days after completion .

What reviewers actually said

Built only from these 120 real reviews (foreign ones translated). Superscripts jump to the quote here. Apple has no per-review links, so [ref] opens that app's reviews on the App Store.

  1. [R17] Ascend Federal Credit Union 5/5 · US Simple to use: Simple to use, is a stable app. It does glitch in the Zelle features but once you learn the bugs it’s okay to use.
  2. [R31] Ascend Federal Credit Union 1/5 · US Card control- card lock: Why did you remove the card lock option for card control.
  3. [R39] Ascend Federal Credit Union 3/5 · US Help: I’ve had no problems with this all till now that I can’t find the Zelle option to send money. Could you put it back or direct me towards the way of sending money thru Zelle
  4. [R40] Ascend Federal Credit Union 2/5 · US Zelle isn’t working: I really like ascend as a whole, but the app needs work. I’m NOT a fan of the update. Coming back to my original complaint, Zelle isn’t working within the app and won’t allow me to transfer money. Very disappointed.
  5. [R3] Ascend Federal Credit Union 3/5 · US Buggy: while it is improving, this app is incredibly buggy. There needs to be a major UI overhaul and there’s a lot that doesn’t make sense. I needed to be more intuitive.
  6. [R4] Ascend Federal Credit Union 2/5 · US New App Layout: New app layout is awful and buggy/ laggy
  7. [R5] Ascend Federal Credit Union 5/5 · US Understandable: Out of all my-banking apps my Ascend has been by far the easiest to use..
  8. [R11] Ascend Federal Credit Union 5/5 · US Great App: Easy to use. Fast response for support. Helpful friendly staff a few key strokes away
  9. [R1] Ascend Federal Credit Union 1/5 · US Terrible app. The app keeps locking me out. And every time I put in my password it tells me that it: Pack
  10. [R6] Ascend Federal Credit Union 3/5 · US Needs some iPhone fixes: My husband doesn’t seem to have issues on his android. Some time ago on my app it requires me to at least tap the memo area before giving me the option to finish transferring money between my accounts. I never had to do the previously and it’s annoying, especially if tapping on the screen it doesn’t respond to me hitting the memo area just right. Then I can’t finish the
  11. [R2] Ascend Federal Credit Union 5/5 · US bestest bank ever!: i’ve had a bank account with ascend for over 10+years… it’s allways stayed open even when i was going threw tough times& allways helped me with any issues! i allways recommend ascend credit union& will for Life! tge people are way nice& concerning& carrying. thank you ascend!☮️✝️🤍✌️🕊️🙏
  12. [R14] Ascend Federal Credit Union 5/5 · US The best one!: I adore this credit union! Fast, friendly, courteous, thoughtful and fun!!!
  13. [R23] Ascend Federal Credit Union 5/5 · US Exceptional!: I am happy to be part of ASCEND FCU! It never lets me down and has the BEST customer service. It feels like family :)
  14. [R29] Ascend Federal Credit Union 5/5 · US Best decision ever: I am so happy I opened an account here great app and staff
  15. [R7] Ascend Federal Credit Union 1/5 · US This app is FRUSTRATING: I have tried to make car payments with this app. First I struggled to be able to make a payment after linking my bank account. When I reached out for help my help session was ended early by the person on the line before they could even answer me. The 2nd attempt, they gave me a vague response. I finally found a link to external payments where I had to make ANOTHER account.
  16. [R8] Ascend Federal Credit Union 5/5 · US Awesome: Great bank/cu you can do a lot with this bank but do need to be updated every other week and need some alerts like deposit alerts and transaction details. They deserve the credit that they need because they are friendly plus outstanding people.
  17. [R13] Ascend Federal Credit Union 1/5 · US Mobile deposits still broken: Are you ever going to fix this issue? It has been this way for 2 months now. Terrible service for your customers.
  18. [R19] Ascend Federal Credit Union 1/5 · US Mobile deposit: App issue, not bank. Camera is all wonky and won’t capture checks, making it impossible to deposit remotely. I’m a small business owner. I routinely receive checks. This is terribly inconvenient.
  19. [R21] Ascend Federal Credit Union 3/5 · US Mobile Deposit: The phone orientation and check orientation are completely different and makes snapping a picture of the check difficult. For instance, you place the check long ways and you usually would. When the phone camera is turned long ways to snap a pic of the check, it shows up vertical instead or horizontal.
  20. [R22] Ascend Federal Credit Union 2/5 · US Mobile deposit issues: It used to work but they keep modifying it and now it displays the photo sideways making it very difficult to align. If you do manage to align it, after capturing the check it reorients it and says it’s cropped. If I click on app support in the App Store listing I get nothing but their website.
  21. [R36] Ascend Federal Credit Union 3/5 · US Ascend: The new update is trash. it won’t let me set a new password; it keeps saying there was a problem completing your request please try again later
  22. [R37] Ascend Federal Credit Union 1/5 · US Slimy Fee Structure, glitchy app: I opened an account to get AWAY from things like low balance fees. Logged in today to discover I’ve been charged for the pleasure of allowing someone else use my money for MONTHS. I can’t for the life of me find any notification alerting me to this. On top of that trying to use the chat causes a glitch and I have frequent log in issue despite using a password mana
  23. [R63] America First Credit Union 3/5 · US Great App Minus the Bugs: I never had problems on android, but there are some bugs on the iOS version it seems. Logging in is always a hassle as usually Face ID doesn’t work, and gets disabled quite often.
  24. [R9] Ascend Federal Credit Union 3/5 · US Real time data: I wish the transactions were more real time let it was a couple of years ago. It takes a couple of days for things to show up on my account.
  25. [R15] Ascend Federal Credit Union 3/5 · US Got to love an app that takes weekends off...: If you're looking to do your banking - or even just keep up with your spending, THIS is the app for you! (As long as you don't spend money on weekends. That won't show up until Monday around lunch time - unless Monday is a holiday. Then you'll have to wait until Tuesday to see that Saturday morning expenditure come out).
  26. [R16] Ascend Federal Credit Union 1/5 · US Slow: It’s much too slow to post or reflect transactions. It never used to be this way but now it’s take 3-4 days for anything to come out.
  27. [R24] Ascend Federal Credit Union 3/5 · US Mr. D: My only complaint isn’t on the app as much as that system in place. Pending transactions, may be in pending for days.

Synthesized from 120 recent App Store reviews · updated July 2026 · View on the App Store