A Financial Partner That Understands Your Story.
Serving salaried, self-employed, and gig-to-gig members for over 50 years.
Owned by members Not Wall Street shareholders
Why Members Love Us
First Entertainment Credit Union is a member-owned, not-for-profit financial institution that passes along profits to our members in the form of competitive rates and lower fees.
Your money works hard
Nearly 30,000 free ATMs and paychecks up to 3 days early.
Your income doesn’t disqualify you
Low rates and flexible terms, even with irregular income.
Built-in Benefits for Every Member
Real benefits from day one, no minimum balance required.
FirstEnt Standard — Everyday Benefits
| Benefit | What You Get |
|---|---|
| Free Checking Account | No monthly service fee with eStatements or minimum balance |
| Free Card Replacements | Up to 2 annually |
| Adjustable-Rate Mortgage Discount | 0.25% with Direct Deposit and Auto-Pay |
| Home Equity Line of Credit Discount | 0.25% with Direct Deposit and Auto-Pay |
| Home Equity Loan Discount | 0.25% with Direct Deposit and Auto-Pay |
| Auto Loan Discount* | 0.75% with Direct Deposit and Auto-Pay, plus an additional 0.25% for low loan-to-value loans |
| Personal Loan Discount | 0.75% with Direct Deposit and Auto-Pay |
| Out-of-Network ATM Fee Reimbursement | Up to $15/month in non-First Entertainment ATM surcharge rebates with Direct Deposits |
*Unlock bigger discounts and added perks through The A-List.
Explore Products and Services
Accounts
Checking Accounts
Explore our checking accounts with no monthly service fees, early access to direct deposits, a widespread surcharge-free ATM network, and full digital and mobile banking to manage your money from anywhere.
Learn more about our checking accounts →
Savings and High-Yield Savings
Grow your money with competitive dividends that beat most
traditional banks. Start with a basic savings account or move
idle cash into a High-Yield Savings option to earn more on every
dollar, with the flexibility to access your funds when you need
them.
Learn more about our high-yield savings →
Youth Savings Accounts
Help the next generation build strong money habits early. Youth
Savings Accounts make saving approachable for kids and teens,
with age-appropriate tools and guidance that set them up for
lifelong financial confidence.
Learn more about our youth savings accounts →
Coogan Accounts
Designed specifically for child performers, Coogan Accounts help
families comply with California law by safeguarding a portion of
a young performer’s earnings in a protected, blocked trust
account until they reach adulthood.
Learn more about our Coogan accounts →
Term Certificates
Lock in a guaranteed return over a fixed term. Term Certificates
offer higher dividend rates than standard savings in exchange
for keeping your funds on deposit for a set period, making them
a low-risk way to grow money you won’t need right away.
Learn more about our term certificates →
Money Market Savings
Earn tiered dividends that reward higher balances while keeping
your funds accessible. A Money Market Savings account blends the
earning power of a certificate with the flexibility of savings,
ideal for building an emergency fund or parking larger balances.
Learn more about our money market savings →
Individual Retirement Account (IRA)
Plan ahead with tax-advantaged retirement savings. Choose from
Traditional and Roth IRA options to invest in your future on
your own terms, an especially valuable tool for gig and
project-based workers without an employer-sponsored plan.
Learn more about our IRAs →
Credit Cards and Loans
Credit Cards
Credit cards with no hidden fees and rewards that fit your
lifestyle. Enjoy competitive APRs, transparent terms, and the
flexibility to build credit or finance larger purchases, all
backed by member-first service.
Learn more about our credit cards →
Union Dues Loans
Staying in good standing with your union shouldn’t be a
financial burden. Union Dues Loans provide affordable financing
to cover membership dues and initiation fees, so you can keep
working without interruption between projects.
Learn more about our union dues loans →
Loans and Lines of Credit
Flexible personal loans and revolving lines of credit for
whatever life brings, from consolidating debt to bridging the
gaps between gigs. Borrow what you need with competitive rates
and repayment terms designed around irregular income.
Learn more about our loans and lines of credit →
Vehicle Loans
Finance a new or used car with competitive rates and fast approvals. Refinancing options can
lower your existing payment, and pre-approval lets you shop with confidence and negotiate like a cash buyer.
Learn more about our vehicle loans →
Home Loans
Buy or refinance with a mortgage team that understands
non-traditional work hours and pay history. First Entertainment
looks beyond a standard W-2 to help self-employed and
project-based members qualify, plus potential homebuying
commission rebates.
Learn more about our home loans →
Home Equity Loans and Lines of Credit
Put your home’s equity to work. Choose a lump-sum Home Equity
Loan for one-time needs or a flexible Home Equity Line of Credit
(HELOC) you can draw from as needed, both at competitive rates
for renovations, consolidation, or major expenses.
Learn more about our home equity loans and lines of credit
→
Services
Digital Banking
Bank on your schedule from anywhere. Digital and mobile banking
let you deposit checks, transfer funds, pay bills, send money
with Zelle®, and monitor your accounts in real time, perfect for
managing your finances on the go.
Learn more about our digital banking →
Premier Banking with The A-List
The A-List is First Entertainment’s premier relationship program
with exclusive perks, and priority service. The deeper your
relationship, the more benefits you unlock across accounts,
loans, and services.
Learn more about The A-List →
Investment Services
Look beyond day-to-day banking with professional investment and
wealth-management guidance. Work with advisors to build a
strategy for retirement, education, or long-term goals, tailored
to the ups and downs of an entertainment career.
Learn more about our investment services →
Fraud Prevention and Account Security
Your security is a priority. Benefit from proactive fraud
monitoring, real-time transaction alerts, card controls, and
dedicated support to help you detect, prevent, and quickly
resolve unauthorized activity on your accounts.
Learn more about our fraud prevention and account security
→
Financial Education
Free financial wellness resources, workshops, and tools to help
you budget, save, borrow wisely, and plan ahead, with guidance
built around the realities of variable, project-based income in
the entertainment industry.
Learn more about our financial education →
Insurance
Protect what matters with insurance solutions available through
the Credit Union. From coverage for your vehicle and home to
added financial protection, find options that help safeguard you
and your family against the unexpected.
Learn more about our insurance →
Member Story
What our members say
First Entertainment is the best place for me to be. They’ve done a great job meeting my needs.
— Neal Z., Prop Master
Being a creative and working on productions, we may have large
checks, and First Entertainment makes it easy and worry-free to
mobile deposit on the go.
— Rae A., Wardrobe Stylist
First Entertainment is an ideal financial partner because the
Credit Union understands the constant flux of the entertainment
industry.
— Devin H., Set Lighting Technician
It’s important that a financial institution understands the unique
needs of the industry it serves in an equitable and empathetic
way, and First Entertainment does that well.
— Shari H., Director DEI Operations
First Entertainment made the mortgage process painless for someone
in the industry who has non-traditional work hours and pay
history.
— Karen S., Makeup Artist (IATSE Local 706)
Credit Union vs. Traditional Bank
Same banking basics. Different priorities.
| Credit Union | Traditional Bank | |
|---|---|---|
| Who owns it | Member-owned | Shareholder-owned |
| Profit model | Not-for-profit; earnings return to members | For-profit; earnings go to shareholders |
| Rates and fees | Competitive rates and lower fees | Rates and fees set to maximize profit |
| Who they serve | A defined membership built around the community | The general public |
| Deposit insurance | Federally insured by the NCUA to at least $250,000 | Federally insured by the FDIC to at least $250,000 |
| Relationship | Personalized service from people who know you | Standardized, often impersonal service |
What Members Can Count On
Great rates and lower fees
Free credit score monitoring
Convenient digital and mobile banking tools
Homebuying commission rebates
Branches on studio lots1
Free financial wellness resources
Loans to cover union fees
Easy transfers with Zelle®2
Investment and insurance services
Become a Member Today
Joining takes just a few minutes. Choose the way that works for you.