Community First has always punched above its weight in technological conveniences for its Members. After all, we were the first (of any bank or credit union) to install “smart” ATMs in our market –– the kind that accepts checks and currency without envelopes. We were the first in our market to offer two-way transfers between CFCU and other financial institutions without a fee. We were the first locally based financial institution to introduce remote deposits –– using your smartphone to deposit a check. And the first to offer instant-issue ATM cards right at the branch.

Once again we are first in our market to introduce a truly transactional 24/7 virtual assistant: Maggie. And the first to offer a complete, mirror-image of its full English website in Spanish.

Technology isn’t offered just because we can. It’s there to make banking that much more convenient, quick, and secure.

Though online or mobile banking you can: check balances, transfer funds, make loan payments, schedule payments, set up alerts … Don’t feel like doing them yourself? Maggie can do many of those transactions on your behalf. Find Maggie at the top of every webpage.

CFCU is continuing to make it easier and easier to bank, save, spend, live.

¡Nuestro sitio web en español ya está vivo! Our Spanish-language website is now live!

With the added functionality and ease of online and mobile banking, the launch of our new Spanish-language website will help us better serve and inform our Hispanic community. Members now have the option to bank LOCALLY in the language they prefer. 

BTW –– of financial institutions based in our LOCAL area, Community First is the only bank or credit union to have a full, complete, mirror-image parallel Spanish site to its English-language site.

Additionally, we made a few changes to our English-language website as well. Upon visiting comfirstcu.org , you will notice a red banner located at the top the website. There are four icons on top, Ask Maggie, ATM Locations, Spanish/English website option, and Online Banking Login. 

A new section, “Education,” has been added. Here you will find FREE Online Financial Literacy resources (for all ages), “How-To Videos,” and a guide for “Making Changes to Your Accounts,” when changes to your life occur. 

The additions to our website, in combination with the new Spanish-language website, is part of CFCU's value to provide the undeserved with the useful financial products, services, and education they need to convert their hopes and dreams into reality.

Shelter-in-place has been hard on all of us. But maybe more so for our local students. No in-person socialization, no sports, no dances, no end-of-school-year activities like prom, graduation and summer good-byes.

Locally owned KZST, the No. 1 radio station in our five-county market, stepped up with a virtual talent show for local teens to have a forum to showcase their voices and moves. Redwood Empire Stereocasters, the parent company of KZST, asked Community First to sponsor the top prize. As the former schools credit union, we said “Yes!” to helping our young LOCAL talent.

Want to take part in selecting the most talented teen? Click here to view video submissions of the 10 finalists, and your chance to vote: https://kzst.com/pages/stars-of-tomorrow . The winner will take home the top prize of a $5,000 saving account from Community First! The grand prize will be awarded June 16 during a live broadcast on 100.1 fm. Check the CFCU Facebook site or website for specific broadcast time as we get closer to the event.

It’s safe to say this graduation season will be like no other. But, Community First is still excited to celebrate this year’s scholarship and award recipients. 

Community First was founded by LOCAL teachers in 1959 and has supported LOCAL education ever since.

CFCU awards four students in Lake and Mendocino counties with a $1,000 scholarship to help kickstart their next educational endeavor. The scholarship is named after one of our original founding Members, Arlene Colombini, who has been serving on our Board for nearly 60 years.  

The scholarship is available to all Lake and Mendocino graduating high school seniors and to college students enrolled at Mendocino College. 

Community First congratulates this year’s recipients:  Shaelyn McIntire  of Clearlake High School,  Julian Clavelle  of Fort Bragg High School,  Juvenal “Junior” Campos-Jaramillo  of Lower Lake High School, and  Megan McDaniel  of Mendocino College. 

In addition to our four scholarships, CFCU also awarded a financial contribution to outstanding high school seniors who demonstrated a high level of scholastic achievement. These student students were chosen by their respective school staffs:  Hannah Hurst , Athena Anderson , and Aurora Schneider (Fort Bragg HS), Melanie Guerrero – Rodriguez and Eduardo Sepulveda (Kelseyville HS), Samantha Hughes and Shelby Sapeta  (Lower Lake HS), Alessandra Diaz and Annabelle Lacey (Middletown HS), Serena Grimm and Marissa Gonzalez  (Potter Valley HS), and Maria Wade and Ryan Escue (Upper Lake HS). 

Congratulations Class of 2020!