First American vs Desert Financial
Comparing a Credit Union in Casa Grande, AZ with a Credit Union in Phoenix, AZ using federal FDIC, NCUA, and CFPB data. Trust Grades reflect financial strength and complaint history.
| First American ↗ Credit Union · Casa Grande, AZ · Est. 1962 | Desert Financial ↗ Credit Union · Phoenix, AZ · Est. 1939 | |
|---|---|---|
| Trust Grade | A · 97/100 | A · 97/100 |
| Institution type | Credit Union | Credit Union |
| Location | Casa Grande, AZ | Phoenix, AZ |
| Total assets | $111.8M | $9.8B |
| Net worth ratio | 13.3% | 12.0% |
| Return on assets | 0.9% | 0.9% |
| Shares & deposits | — | — |
| Members | 11,841 | 511,369 |
| CFPB complaints | 0 | 0 |
| Complaints / $1B assets | — | — |
| State rank | #5 of 33 | #6 of 33 |
| Established | 1962 | 1939 |
First American
- Assets: $111.8M
- Members: 11,841
- Capital ratio: 13.3%
- Return on assets: 0.9%
- CFPB complaints: 0
- State rank: #5 of 33
Desert Financial
- Assets: $9.8B
- Members: 511,369
- Capital ratio: 12.0%
- Return on assets: 0.9%
- CFPB complaints: 0
- State rank: #6 of 33
Are both institutions federally insured?
Yes. First American is NCUA-insured and Desert Financial is NCUA-insured. Both protect deposits up to $250,000 per depositor, per ownership category, regardless of Trust Grade. The Trust Grade reflects financial strength and complaint history — not the safety of insured deposits. Estimate your coverage →
Frequently asked questions
Which is better, First American or Desert Financial?
Based on Bankzia's Trust Grade — which blends financial strength (capital ratio, ROA) with CFPB complaint history — First American scores higher with a grade of A (97/100). However, "better" depends on your needs: if you prioritize branch access, local service, or membership eligibility for a credit union, the lower-scoring option may still be the right choice for you.
Is First American safe?
Yes — First American is NCUA-insured, meaning deposits up to $250,000 per depositor, per ownership category are federally protected regardless of the institution's Trust Grade. Its Trust Grade is A (97/100), reflecting its financial strength and complaint history relative to peers.
Is Desert Financial safe?
Yes — Desert Financial is NCUA-insured, meaning deposits up to $250,000 per depositor, per ownership category are federally protected. Its Trust Grade is A (97/100).
What is the capital ratio of First American vs Desert Financial?
First American has a net worth ratio of 13.3%, placing it in the top 26% of $100M–1B peers. Desert Financial's ratio is 12.0%, placing it in the top 30% of $1B–10B peers. A higher capital ratio generally signals a stronger financial cushion.
How many complaints does First American have compared to Desert Financial?
The CFPB database shows 0 complaints against First American, and 0 complaints against Desert Financial. The per-$1B rate adjusts for institution size and is a more meaningful comparison metric.
How does Bankzia calculate the Trust Grade?
The Trust Grade combines a financial strength score (based on capital ratio, return on assets, and other FDIC/NCUA metrics) with a customer experience score derived from CFPB complaint data. The scores are weighted and normalized within peer groups by institution size and type. See our full methodology for details.
Compare First American with other Credit Unions in Arizona
Financial data from NCUA call reports; complaint data from the CFPB Consumer Complaint Database. Bankzia is independent and not affiliated with any government agency or financial institution.
