Desert Financial Credit Union named official retail banking partner of ASU

Desert Financial Credit Union expanded its current partnership with Arizona State University to become the university’s official retail banking partner Wednesday.

With the retail banking partnership in place, Desert Financial will be the exclusive provider of ASU-branded debit and credit cards and will run all on-campus bank branches and ATMs at ASU’s Downtown Phoenix, Polytechnic, Tempe and West campuses.

Desert Financial is kicking off the expanded partnership with a $25,000 donation that will be used for equipment to aid in recovery and injury prevention across all ASU women’s sports. Desert Financial will also provide student and community engagement activities on the ASU campuses, including volunteer opportunities and financial education for students and faculty.

“We know strong communities are built by citizens who have received a quality education,” said Desert Financial President and CEO Jeff Meshey. “Our existing partnership with ASU has improved access to higher education for our employees, and we’re building on that foundation to increase access to high-quality, local financial services and financial education for the ASU community.”

Since launching its corporate education program in 2020, nearly 30% of Desert Financial employees have enrolled in fully funded undergraduate degree programs, graduate education or continuing education courses through ASU.

“Arizona State University and Desert Financial Credit Union share a strong belief in the power of education and our collaborative ability to support student learning and success,” said ASU President Michael M. Crow. “ASU is excited to grow this valued partnership as a dynamic resource offering great service, convenience and financial literacy to our students and our broader Sun Devil community.”

Arizona’s largest credit union has held naming rights for the university’s basketball arena since 2019. Desert Financial Arena on the Tempe campus is home to men’s and women’s basketball, wrestling, gymnastics and volleyball. 

The two organizations share common founding stories. ASU began as a school to train teachers in 1885. Desert Financial Credit Union owes its origin to a group of Valley teachers who founded the credit union in 1939 with just $78.75.

The exclusive ASU debit cards will be available soon at DesertFinancial.com/ASU.