Ascend Federal Credit Union was started in 1951 to serve the employees of Arnold Air Force Base. In the half century since, Ascend has grown to serve an ever-widening member base from 15 full-service financial centers across Middle Tennessee. They offer fee-free access to a host of ATMs and a comprehensive line of financial... show more
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Ascend Federal Credit Union Reviews
5
54%
4
14%
3
4%
2
8%
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20%
3.7
93 reviews
93 reviews
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Ascend Federal Credit Union
Isabella Maglio @bellabmaglio
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1 Star Rating
My bank just switched to Ascend, and I will already be switching to a different bank. The app doesn't work. Charges that weren't pending the night before magically go through, and you wake up in the negatives with charges that weren't even showing as pending 8 hours earlier. Setting up the card was a nightmare. My paycheck is 'lost'. I'm so over Ascend already and will not be using any banking that is connected to Ascend ever again. I activated my card with Ascend on Monday, and it's been nothing but a nightmare.
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Product: Ascend Federal Credit Union Checking
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Ascend Federal Credit Union
Michael Teasley @michaelt_270
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1 Star Rating
Verified Customer
Terrible bank, Nicole, who works in the loan or credit department, needs to be fired as soon as possible. She accesses the computer and performs tasks beyond her knowledge or authority, altering information that she shouldn't be involved with, making it difficult for clients. She's truly disrespectful and unprofessional. Why make things harder for your customers and people in general? She should not be working in banking due to her lack of common sense and knowledge, which poses a threat to people's credit and financial well-being. You shouldn't reopen a closed, charged-off loan that has been inactive for five years simply because you denied a dispute; that doesn't give you the right. If she had any sense, she would realize that reopening it could severely damage someone's credit score. All she had to do was deny the dispute and leave the charged-off account closed. There's no legitimate reason to tamper with people's closed accounts, introducing fraudulent and inaccurate information. Clearly, she is making judgment calls that she has neither the right nor the authority to make. Once I resolve this unfortunate situation, she will not forget my name nor the knowledge I have imparted upon her and her inept colleagues. Know your job, assist the people, or leave the role; it’s simple. Some only work for a paycheck and to support their own kind, not caring for every race and color, which is appalling and disgraceful. It's one thing to make an error and another to refuse to acknowledge it. Refusing to admit wrongdoing is not only immature but also unacceptable in an adult. I would never recommend this bank to anyone, particularly while such individuals are employed there. Terrible bank, terrible staff.
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Product: Ascend Federal Credit Union Car Loans
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Ascend Federal Credit Union
Tammie Jernigan @tjernigan
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1 Star Rating
I have been a member of this credit union for over three decades. My entire family, including parents, husband, siblings, nieces, nephews, and in-laws, have all had accounts at this credit union. Additionally, I was an employee for a short while after college—again, decades ago.
This credit union used to be excellent, but it has since made decisions that have degraded their service and loyalty to their members. They obviously do not care what their members value, or they would not have such low ratings on Yelp and Google. Personally, I have had one issue after another with them in the last few years. I am a person who is fiscally responsible and continuously has a high credit score. So, I can only imagine what folks who struggle in these areas have experienced. The people who work there are friendly and do their best to be helpful. It is the policies and decisions of management and the board of this credit union that have issues and completely lost sight of member service. I am so incredibly disappointed I cannot adequately describe my displeasure. Suffice to say, I will be searching for better options and will be encouraging all of my family members to join me. Quite frankly, from what I've seen, there are plenty of better options from which to choose.
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Product: Ascend Federal Credit Union Credit Cards
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Ascend Federal Credit Union
Sherry K Prindle @sherryp_49
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5 Star Rating
Verified Customer
We are very happy with our loan with ascend. The process was super smooth. They set us up with a plan that was specific to our needs. We love banking with ascend and have been since 2017.
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Product: Ascend Federal Credit Union Car Loans
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Ascend Federal Credit Union
seidina @seidinab
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5 Star Rating
Verified Customer
Very friendly and always helpful. Not sure how I felt about it at first with the changes to banking. But I’m use to it now and love it. My daughter just opened an account with them.
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Product: Ascend Federal Credit Union Car Loans
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Ascend Federal Credit Union
jaded1965 @jaded1965
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3 Star Rating
Verified Customer
They are quirky as a company. The office you go to with this organization is everything. The Lebanon office has shown the highest quality of professionalism, and some of the other offices could definitely learn from them.
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Product: Ascend Federal Credit Union Personal Loans
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Ascend Federal Credit Union
Drummom777 @Drummom777
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2 Star Rating
TAKING AWAY ACCESS TO MY OWN ACCOUNTS BY PHONE OR ONLINE IS NOT AN UPGRADE!! I have been a happy member since 1993 and have for years recommended them to friends and family as well as online. However, ASCEND recently made "upgrades" to services that actually restrict how I can use and move my money. For YEARS I have been able to pick up my phone and move funds from my Visa Platinum account into any of my checking accounts. Now, in this day of advanced mobile access, I have to DRIVE to an actual office?? I CANNOT EVEN REQUEST THIS BY PHONE!!! This is not how this CU has been run for years. What changed??? Are you trying to become another BOA? I'm so disappointed and will NOT be recommending ASCEND any longer until I see what else they have up their sleeve. AGAIN, ASCEND...THIS IS NOT AN UPGRADE FOR YOUR MEMBERS!!
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Product: Ascend Federal Credit Union Credit Cards
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Tammie Jernigan @tjernigan
I totally agree with you. The service at this credit union has declined severly in the last year or maybe a bit longer and they obviously do not seek the members' opinions when making these 'upgrades' or policies.
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Ascend Federal Credit Union
Cullen_g_irish @Cullen_g_irish
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1 Star Rating
While on a trip, I found a car I wanted to buy out of state. I called Ascend on a Thursday to verify that I could set up a wire transfer on a Saturday when I went to view the car. They told me I could. After I had driven 6 hours to see the car on that Saturday, I called to set up the transfer and was informed wires cannot be completed on weekends. So instead of a $15 wire, I was charge a nearly $300 fee on my debit card to buy the car. When I spoke to Ascend about the issue, they admitted fault but refused to refund the $300 that they had cost me. Instead, they were more focused on offering me a loan.
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Product: Ascend Federal Credit Union Checking
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Tammie Jernigan @tjernigan
Yes, their dedication to member service has severely declined over recent years. It is not necessarily the member facing employees. I have found they do their best to please, but I have found they are restricted by policies and such put in place by management.
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Ascend Federal Credit Union
jeremycrouch28 @jeremycrouch28
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1 Star Rating
Be sure to know exactly how much is in your account because you cannot trust their system it will tell you one thing then charge you an overdraft fee and then they'll tell you their system tells them something different quite frankly I'm over it I've had this account for a couple years now and it's been nothing but a headache
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Product: Ascend Federal Credit Union Checking
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Tammie Jernigan @tjernigan
My son had the very same experience. I was actually charged overdraft fees when I was not overdrafted. Then, they were not the ones to catch it. I had to find this issue and then contact them to get it corrected. Most people do not have an overabundance of funds that they do not have to worry about whether there is a true balance to cover the expenses. So, these numbers make a difference to the majority of members using this credit union for their banking, but it just does not seem to matter to the 'powers that be'. It is quite sad that they cannot see issues with their processes and procedures which erroneously charge fees that the average member cannot afford.
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Ascend Federal Credit Union
Tammy @tammyd7691
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5 Star Rating
Verified Customer
This was my first car loan. The company is very friendly and always polite. I appreciate them helping me out and I wish more companies were like this.
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Product: Ascend Federal Credit Union Car Loans
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Ascend Federal Credit Union
Antoinette @antoinettes_11
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5 Star Rating
Verified Customer
Ascend has been great to work with. They care about the customer. They put the customer first and always make my feel part of the credit union
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Product: Ascend Federal Credit Union Personal Loans
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Ascend Federal Credit Union
Tammy @tammyd_64
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5 Star Rating
Verified Customer
Ascend is great to work with.I have 2 car loans with them. They make buying a car easy. I know I can go to them and get approved for an amount, then start my car shopping.
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Product: Ascend Federal Credit Union Car Loans
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Ascend Federal Credit Union
Terri @terrih_30
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5 Star Rating
Verified Customer
I have been ascend federal credit union since around 2011 . Started with a savings account and then got a loan for a used car and then in 2016 or 2017 I opened up a checking account.
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Product: Ascend Federal Credit Union Personal Loans
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Ascend Federal Credit Union
Cindy @doodlefish
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4 Star Rating
Very helpful in every way. Very prompt is assisting and lots of branch offices make it very handy. I have beenn with them for over 30yrs and counting.
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Product: Ascend Federal Credit Union Checking
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Ascend Federal Credit Union
Jerold @jeroldb
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5 Star Rating
Verified Customer
It was very easy and informational doing business with them. Treated me as family. Interest rates were fair and the online banking makes it very easy to keep up with my account.
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Product: Ascend Federal Credit Union Personal Loans
Get answers to your questions about Ascend Federal 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.
Ascend Federal Credit Union and The Tennessee Credit Union are both not-for-profit financial cooperatives based in Tennessee, offering similar services such as checking accounts, savings accounts, loans, and digital banking. While they share the core principles of credit unions—member ownership and a focus on community—key distinctions in their size, geographic reach, and membership requirements set them apart.
Ascend boasts a more extensive physical presence, with a larger network of branches and ATMs primarily concentrated in Middle Tennessee. This provides greater convenience for members residing in this region. The Tennessee Credit Union also operates branches in Middle Tennessee, with a strong presence in Nashville and surrounding counties, such as Clarksville and Franklin.
In conclusion, the choice between Ascend Federal Credit Union and The Tennessee Credit Union will likely hinge on an individual's geographic location and their eligibility for membership. Ascend's larger size and broader membership criteria may appeal to a wider range of Tennesseans, particularly those in Middle Tennessee. The Tennessee Credit Union, with its more focused geographic and employer-based membership, offers a more intimate and community-oriented banking experience for those who qualify.
Multiple factors are taken into account when offering a rate, not just your credit score. One of our lending team members would be glad to help answer that question in more detail and ask any further questions you might have. Give us a call at 800-342-3086.
To become a member of Ascend Federal Credit Union, you must meet one of the following eligibility requirements:
Immediate Family or Household Members: If you have a family member or household member who is already a member of Ascend, you can join.
Employment/Affiliation: You can join if you work for one of the many occupational groups that Ascend serves. Check their website for a full list of eligible employers.
If you live in a community property state, like Arizona, California, Idaho, Nevada, etc., then any debt incurred by either spouse during marriage is owned by the couple. In this case, even if you did not co-sign the loan, you are responsible for the debt, so Ascend can technically garnish your wages. If you live in a state that uses common law property laws like Virginia, Pennsylvania, New York, etc., then you are not responsible...
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