The Golden 1

CJ Stallion

5 months ago

If You Care About Rates, Read This Before Choosing Golden 1 Potential borrowers — read this before choosing Golden 1 Credit Union. I was offered 7.74% online by Golden 1. I then received a pre-approval from Alliant Credit Union at 6.99% for the same loan. When I called Golden 1 to ask for a match or even a review, I was told: Rates are non-negotiable Loans are not reviewed case by case There is no senior loan officer or escalation process And — unbelievably — that Alliant “probably won’t cause us to lose any business” Well… here’s proof that statement is wrong. Golden 1 lost my business immediately over 0.75%, despite my excellent credit and willingness to move forward that day. Alliant didn’t hesitate, didn’t posture, and didn’t dismiss competition — they simply earned the loan. If you value: Competitive rates Flexibility Being treated like a member, not a number Skip Golden 1 and go straight to Alliant Credit Union. Golden 1’s rigid, take-it-or-leave-it attitude cost them this deal — and it may cost them yours too. You’ve been warned. I’m giving Golden 1 2 out of 5 stars, and that’s only because I already have another loan with them and their payment system and day-to-day customer service on that loan have been solid. The reps are friendly. That said, Golden 1 no longer seems to care about personal customer relationships at all. Their lending approach is rigid and dismissive, with no willingness to review rates or compete — even for qualified borrowers. It’s clear they’ve grown too large to care, and unfortunately, that usually doesn’t change until a company starts losing real business to lenders that do value relationships.

Logan Noble

7 months ago

I’ve been a long-time Golden 1 member and have always appreciated the courtesy of my local branch staff, but my experience with Golden 1’s corporate dispute and card services has been increasingly frustrating. Recently, my debit card was suddenly shut down without warning or explanation, leaving me unable to access my funds or pay essential bills while traveling. When I called to ask why, I was told “we don’t know.” A replacement card is being mailed, but I now have to wait over a week with no access to my own money. Golden 1 has also inconsistently denied multiple transaction disputes, often providing little or no explanation. On one occasion, a representative called me about a dispute but became defensive after I corrected inaccurate information — hardly the professionalism you expect from a member-owned credit union. I can no longer recommend Golden 1. The local branch employees remain polite and professional, but the corporate side has become evasive, unresponsive, and unreliable. Members deserve transparency, accountability, and consistent access to their funds — not silence or blame-shifting.

Kristina Wolf

3 months ago

Not the worst bank I’ve ever dealt with but most certainly doesn’t even rank above 25%, thus one star. Horrible customer service, issues contacting bank, constantly messing with and locking your accounts or calling fraud and canceling your cards just when you need them, etc. Oof. I’ve been with them for almost ten years but it’s time to move on - onto something better.

Joe Colvin

7 months ago

It’s been 10 years and I’m ready to start everything over. I shoulda did it with my first bad experience when I was 19. It’s been nothing but terrible using this banking service. 10 years of bad experiences. I can’t believe any one uses these people. I can pay my lawyer without going into a branch. That’s wildly ridiculous

Johnny Bravo

9 months ago

I really want to like Golden1 CU since it is one of the closest CUs that I currently have. However, with quirks such as requiring a credit check in order to have a withdrawal limit of $1,000 instead of $500 when using an ATM, the utterly low Zelle limits making it difficult to send money to family and friends, the overly delayed implementation of CashBack+, and so many other minor issues makes it really difficult to use Golden1 for anything important. You're honestly better off doing business with Patelco CU or another competitor.