2018 RANKING & REVIEWS
TOP RANKING BANKS AND CREDIT UNIONS IN MESA, AZ
Save Time & Money! Top 6 Credit Unions & Banks in Mesa, Arizona with Free ATMs (+ 2 Banks to Avoid)
Mesa, Arizona has all the benefits of being near a big city while offering a more suburban lifestyle. While nearby Phoenix may get most of the attention, Mesa has a personality of its own and is home to Chicago Cubs and Oakland A’s baseball spring training.
Award Emblem: Top 7 Best Banks & Credit Unions in Mesa, AZ
If you’re looking for the best Mesa credit unions and banks, you may notice that most don’t have as many branch locations as banks in larger cities. But many make up for that with a large network of free ATMs for convenience.
There are two neighboring cities that are less than seven miles away, so when you’re considering Mesa banks, you’ll also want to look at banks in Gilbert, AZ and banks in Tempe, AZ. We’ve considered banks in all three towns, but centering on Mesa.
In addition to giving you a full run down of the best Mesa, AZ banks and credit unions, we’ll also explore ATM charges and how to avoid them. Plus, if you want to know which two banks in Mesa, Arizona we recommend avoiding, you’ll want to read on to the end.
Top 6 Best Mesa, AZ Banks & Credit Unions (& 2 to Avoid) | Brief Comparison & Ranking
| Best Banks & Credit Unions in Mesa, Arizona | 2018 Ratings |
| Altier Credit Union | 5 |
| Arizona Federal Credit Union | 5 |
| TruWest Credit Union | 5 |
| Gateway Bank | 3 |
| National Bank of Arizona® | 3 |
| U.S. Bank | 3 |
| Chase Bank | 1 |
| FirstBank | 1 |
Table: Top 6 Banks and Credit Unions in Mesa, AZ (& 2 to Avoid) | Above list is sorted by rating
Mesa Banks FAQ | What are typical ATM Fees & How Do You Avoid Them?
Have you ever needed quick cash and used a generic ATM only to find that you’d been charged a $2.00 or $3.00 service fee? Nobody likes paying extra fees just to access their hard-earned cash, but sometimes you don’t have an option.
Banks in Mesa, Arizona, and across the country, typically charge a fee if you use an out of network ATM to access your account. The good news is that you can still use an ATM that isn’t your bank’s, but the bad news is that it can cost you between $1.50 to $3.50 a transaction, and some in resort areas charge as much as $10.
Here are some ways to avoid those pesky ATM fees:
- Ask if your bank has an ATM fee refund perk on any of its accounts.
- See if your bank or credit union in Mesa, AZ is part of a large free ATM network like CO-OP or Allpoint.
- Download an app that gives you a map of your bank’s surcharge-free ATMs.
- If you only need a small cash withdrawal, make a purchase at a store and get cash back instead of using an ATM.
All-in-One Change Management Tools
Top Rated Toolkit for Change Managers.
Get Your Change Management Tool Today...
AdvisoryHQ’s Selection Methodology
What methodology does AdvisoryHQ use in selecting and finalizing the credit cards, financial products, firms, services, and products that are ranked on its various top-rated lists?
Please click here “AdvisoryHQ’s Ranking Methodologies” for a detailed review of AdvisoryHQ’s selection methodologies for ranking top-rated credit cards, financial accounts, firms, products, and services.
Detailed Review – AdvisoryHQ’s 2018 Top Ranking Credit Unions & Banks in Mesa, Arizona (& 2 to Avoid)
Below, please find a detailed review of each firm on our list of top banks and credit unions in Mesa, AZ. We have highlighted some of the factors that allowed these Mesa, AZ credit unions and banks to score so highly in our selection ranking
Click on any of the names below to go directly to the review section for that firm.
- Altier Credit Union
- Arizona Federal Credit Union
- TruWest Credit Union
- Gateway Bank
- National Bank of Arizona®
- U.S. Bank
- Chase Bank
- FirstBank
See Also: Regions Bank (Ranking & Review)
Altier Credit Union Review
Altier Credit Union has been serving members since 1947, initially started by employees of the Salt River Valley Water Users Association. They now serve over 19,000 members in Maricopa County, Page and St. Johns, AZ. They recently merged with America First Credit Union.
Below are the highlights that make Altier Credit Union stand out on this 2018 best Mesa, AZ banks and credit unions ranking.
Convenience Factors of Altier Credit Union in Mesa, AZ at a Glance:
- Free ATMs through the CO-OP (30,000) and Allpoint (50,000) networks
- Free apps available for both networks to map locations
- 2 branches in Mesa and surrounding areas, plus over 5,000 through CO-OP
- Online video library with “How Tos” on banking with Altier
- Mobile banking and deposit app
Travelwise Tips
You can never be too careful when you use your debit or credit card while traveling. Altier is one of the Mesa, AZ credit unions that makes it their business to make traveling as safe as possible for members. Their Travelwise tips give you easy step-by-step instructions on what to do to keep your accounts safe before, during, and after a trip.
Rating Summary
We rated Altier Credit Union a 5 on our listing of the best and most convenient Mesa credit unions and banks. We noted that even though they have some negative reviews on Yelp, reviewers mentioned being contacted after posting a review to try to resolve their issue. That’s impressive.
This is one of the credit unions in Mesa, Arizona with an A+ rating at the Better Business Bureau (BBB). Happy customers mention great customer service. And although the dedicated locations may be on the low side, which is not unusual for this city, they offer over 5,000 more branches through the CO-OP shared branch network.
Don’t Miss: Renasant Bank Review & Ranking | What You Should Know Before Using Renasant Bank
Arizona Federal Credit Union Review
In 1936, a group of City of Phoenix employees pooled resources to start a credit union and Arizona Federal Credit Union was born. They serve over 125,000 members across a total of 12 branches throughout the state.
Below are the highlights that make Arizona Credit Union stand out on AdvisoryHQ’s 2018 best Mesa, AZ banks and credit unions ranking.
Convenience Factors of Arizona Federal Credit Union in Mesa, AZ at a Glance:
- 38 Free ATMs throughout Arizona
- 30,000 free ATMs through CO-OP network
- Free ATMs at area 7-Eleven stores & Costco in Gilbert, AZ
- 11 branches in Mesa and surrounding areas, plus over 5,000 through CO-OP
- Identity theft protection through ID Protect™
Member Payouts through PLUS Program
Do you like earning cash back, discounts, and other perks? Then this is one of the banks in Gilbert, AZ, Mesa, AZ and the surrounding area that you’ll want to take a look at. Arizona Federal shares their proceeds with their members, and they’ve paid them back more than $30 million over the last five years.
Rating Summary
Members of Arizona Federal Credit Union note location convenience and excellent customer service as reasons for their top ratings. We gave this Mesa, AZ credit union a 5 in our best Mesa credit unions and banks ranking.
They have a good number of convenient ATM locations in the area and extend their reach nationally through the CO-OP shared network. Other benefits of this credit union in Mesa, AZ include a free mobile app for deposits, bill paying, and more and personalized controls and alerts on your credit cards.
Related: Southern Bank Ranking & Review
TruWest Credit Union Review
TruWest Credit Union has been serving members in Arizona and Texas since 1952. It was first started by employees of Motorola, and today serves over 80,000 members with 12 branch locations between both states.
Below are the highlights that make TruWest Credit Union stand out on this 2018 best Mesa, AZ banks and credit unions ranking.
Convenience Factors of TruWest Credit Union in Mesa, AZ at a Glance:
- Over 30,000 free ATMs through the CO-OP shared branch network
- 6 branches in the Mesa, AZ area and 5,000 shared branches
- eBranch for easy digital banking
- Wealth management tools and calculators
- Sprint cash rewards and other discounts
Great Loan and Savings Rates
Looking for the best loan or certificate rates? TruWest Credit Union offers some of the best rates for loans or savings of any Mesa, AZ credit unions or banks. They currently offer 2.25% APY on a 14-month investment certificate and mortgages starting at 3.25% APR.
Rating Summary
Helpful staff and convenient locations are just two of the reasons that members give TruWest Credit Union high marks. We rated them a 5 as one of the best Mesa credit unions.
They’re a part of the Love My Credit Union rewards program that offers discounts on multiple products and services. You can bank in person, online, or by phone at this credit union in Mesa, AZ, or visit any one of 5,000 shared branches or 30,000 free ATMs throughout the U.S.
Popular Article: Synchrony vs Ally – Review & Comparison (Synchrony Bank vs Ally Bank)
Gateway Bank Review
What this next Mesa bank may lack in number of branches, they make up for in number of free ATMs. Plus, Gateway Bank is based right in Mesa, Arizona. They serve the area beyond the East Valley through their large network of partnering ATMs and remote and mobile deposit services.
Below are the highlights that make Gateway Bank stand out on this 2018 best Mesa, AZ banks and credit unions ranking.
Convenience Factors of Gateway Bank in Mesa, Arizona at a Glance:
- 50 Free ATMs throughout the Mesa Area, including in 7-Eleven stores
- More than 25,000 ATMs nationwide through MoneyPass ATM network
- Downloadable MoneyPass app to locate surcharge-free ATMs
- Remote deposit service for businesses
- Downloadable new account paperwork to save time at the branch
Community-Centric
Have you been searching for a smaller, community related banking experience from banks in Mesa, Arizona? You’ve just found it! Gateway Bank prides itself on being connected to the Mesa community in a number of ways, including hosting community events, supporting local charities, and sponsoring Food Truck Friday to highlight local vendors.
Rating Summary
Gateway Bank scored a high 3 on our listing of the top banks and credit unions in Mesa, Arizona. The only thing holding them back from a perfect score was having just one branch location. But this bank does a lot to expand their reach with tons of free ATMs and remote business deposits.
They have an A+ at the BBB and customer reviews note that this is one of the Mesa banks where “everyone knows your name” and has excellent customer service. The support they provide for their local Mesa, AZ community is also hard to beat.
Read More: Texas Bay Credit Union | Review & Ranking
National Bank of Arizona® Review
National Bank of Arizona® is a regional bank with over 50 branches throughout the state of Arizona. It’s also a division of ZB, N.A., which has nearly 500 financial centers across 11 western U.S. states.
Below are the highlights that make National Bank of Arizona® stand out on this 2018 best Mesa, AZ banks and credit unions ranking.
Convenience Factors of National Bank of Arizona® in Mesa, Arizona at a Glance:
- 6 branches with free ATMs in the Mesa Area
- 57 free ATMs throughout Arizona
- Personal and business financial calculators and tools
- Purchase and fraud alerts for debit and credit cards
- Online, mobile, and telephone banking
Checking Accounts to Fit Your Life
Are you tired of getting few account choices when signing with banks in Tempe, AZ or Mesa banks? Then you’ll appreciate the five checking account options with National Bank of Arizona®. Choose from free accounts that include the bare necessities, interest-earning accounts, or special accounts for military and seniors.
Rating Summary
We rated National Bank of Arizona® a 3 on our top banks and credit unions in Mesa, Arizona listing. They have a few mixed reviews online with some customers praising their convenience and others noting issues with online banking services.
This is one of the Mesa, AZ banks that has some awards to their name. They’ve been named the #1 Bank for 15 years by Arizona Magazine and Best Private Bank by Arizona Foothills Magazine.
Additionally, because they’re focused on the Grand Canyon State, whether you’re looking for banks in Gilbert, AZ, banks in Tempe, AZ or Banks in Mesa, Arizona, you’ll find a nearby branch in your city.
Related: United Community Bank Review & Ranking | What You Should About This Bank
Free Wealth & Finance Software - Get Yours Now ►
U.S. Bank Review
If you’re someone that prefers banking with a larger bank that has a national footprint, then U.S. Bank is a great option. Their history dates back to 1863, and today they’ve grown to being the fifth-largest bank in the country.
Below are the highlights that make U.S. Bank stand out on this 2018 best Mesa, AZ banks and credit unions ranking.
Convenience Factors of U.S. Bank in Mesa, Arizona at a Glance:
- 10 branches with free ATMs in the Mesa Area
- Branches & ATMs in area Safeway stores
- Over 4,800 free ATMs in 25 U.S. states
- Mobile app and text & SMS banking
- Investment & retirement resources
Cash Back Credit Cards
If you like earning 5% cash back, plus a $150 bonus, then the U.S. Bank Cash+™ Visa Signature® card will be right up your alley. U.S. Bank is one of the banks in Mesa, Arizona that offers that card plus a bunch of others with travel rewards and other perks.
Rating Summary
We rated U.S. Bank a 3 on our ranking of the best banks and credit unions in Mesa, AZ. They have a few mixed reviews online with some noting excellent customer service, and others, not so much. Happy customers mention good things about the bank helping them build their credit.
Because they’re a larger financial institution, you can find a few more products and services, especially in the credit card rewards and investment areas, than you can at other credit unions or banks in Gilbert, AZ, Tempe, or Mesa.
Don’t Miss: Wesbanco Bank, Inc. Ranking & Review
Chase Bank Review
These next two Mesa, AZ banks on our list are the ones that you may want to avoid until they improve upon a few items. Chase Bank may be one of the larger banks in Tempe, AZ, Mesa, and the whole U.S., but they have a glaring F rating at the Better Business Bureau (BBB), and several poor online reviews.
Below are some of the improvements we feel would help Chase Bank move up on AdvisoryHQ’s future best banks in Mesa, Arizona listing.
Reputation Management
Parent company JP Morgan Chase, has been plagued with government actions over the last few years, and their BBB listing has a total of 2,284 customer complaints. If they focused on responding to all complaints, it could help boost that rating and their reputation as a whole.
Rating Summary
As a bank or credit union in Mesa, AZ that you may want to avoid due to customer service issues, we rated Chase Bank a 1 in our 2018 ranking. They have a way to go in the reputation management department, even though they do offer ATMs in 26 states and even access to international ATMs.
Yelp reviews that are negative for Mesa, AZ branches mention poor customer service and long wait times, but there are a few customers that really enjoy banking at Chase. If they worked on their reputation, especially on the parent company side, they could easily move up on a future best Mesa banks ranking.
Popular Article: Best Banks & Credit Unions in San Diego, CA (& Which One to Avoid) | Ranking
FirstBank Review
FirstBank, based in Colorado, is another of the banks or credit unions in Mesa, Arizona with a rating of F at the BBB. Although they look to be much closer to fixing that, with only five complaints and two unanswered, and no listed government actions.
Below are some of the improvements we feel would help FirstBank move up on AdvisoryHQ’s future best banks in Mesa, Arizona listing.
Respond to All BBB Complaints
The Better Business Bureau takes complaint responses into account when giving out ratings to banks and credit unions in Mesa, Arizona, and everywhere else. If FirstBank addressed those two complaints dragging them down with an F, it could greatly improve their standing and reputation.
Rating Summary
As a bank in Mesa that needs to improve their reputation a little in our opinion, we rated FirstBank a 1 on our Mesa AZ credit unions and banks ranking.
Reviews on Yelp are mixed, but some customers do mention they love banking there. They have some convenience factors going for them, such as having over 115 locations in Colorado, Arizona, and California. They also pride themselves on giving back to the community.
With a little effort to improve their online reputation, FirstBank could easily have a chance at being considered a top Mesa, AZ bank in the future.
AdvisoryHQ Conclusion – Top 6 Best & Most Convenient Credit Unions & Banks in Mesa Arizona (+ 2 to Avoid)
If you hate paying fees for using out-of-network ATMs, then you’ll love the convenience and surcharge-free options at these top banks and credit unions in Mesa, AZ. Many have thousands of nationwide options to do your banking through a network of both free ATMs and shared branches.
While not all Mesa banks have as many locations as do those in larger cities, they definitely try to make up for that with online and mobile banking options as well as expanding their ATM network to grocery and convenience stores.
All this means that you get more convenient choices than ever for doing your banking easily and getting on with your day.
AdvisoryHQ Rate Table Disclaimer
Click here to read AdvisoryHQ’s disclaimer on the rate table(s) displayed on this page.
Image sources:
- https://pixabay.com/en/atm-money-cash-payment-finance-2923515/
- https://pixabay.com/en/desert-catus-cacti-dirt-road-392747/
AdvisoryHQ (AHQ) Disclaimer:
Reasonable efforts have been made by AdvisoryHQ to present accurate information, however all info is presented without warranty. Review AdvisoryHQ’s Terms for details. Also review each firm’s site for the most updated data, rates and info.
Note: Firms and products, including the one(s) reviewed above, may be AdvisoryHQ's affiliates. Click to view AdvisoryHQ's advertiser disclosures.
