Community First, since 1959, has been Doing Good!
Holiday Schedule
12/24 – Christmas Eve – OPEN from 9a to 1p

12/25 – Christmas Day – CLOSED

12/31 – NYE – OPEN from 9a to 3:30p

1/1 – New Year’s Day – CLOSED
Thank You, Dear Member!

It’s always a good time to say “Thanks,” but especially so during the Holidays.

Thank you for being part of this 60,000-Member-strong financial cooperative. You’ve chosen a better way to bank. To be sure, you get more and keep more than you would with a traditional bank. But, through the non-profit financial institution to which you belong, you also give back to the local communities we collectively call home.

Because of your support, Community First will finish 2021 stronger, more financially secure than ever, and able to do even more LOCAL good. A financial co-op exists because of, and on behalf of, its Members. Thank you for being a Member of Community First. And Happy Holidays to you and the people you love.
YouthSaver Account
The Gift that Keeps on giving
This holiday season teach the gift of SAVINGS with a YouthSaver account from your LOCAL financial institution, Community First!

When you don’t know what to gift a youth in your life, money is always a safe bet. So why not pair it with a savings account?

Local residents who are not yet 18 years of age can now earn up to 7.07% APY (same as our area code) when the YouthSaver account is matched with a family member’s Local Advantage Plus checking account. Even when not matched, it will still earn 1.01% APY (the rate that matches our local freeway: HWY 101). Both are much higher rates than the Scrooge-like 0.01% APY the big banks offer.

Let’s do the math: save $500 at a big bank, earn five cents a year. Stoked? Probably not.

Let do our math: save $500 at Community First, earn as much as 7.07% (APY), which is $35.35 a year! Stoked? We all are.

Stop by your LOCAL branch this holiday season and give the gift that keeps on giving!
Winter Care Kit Drive @ CFCU Branches
Help us collect items for those in need
It’s the season of giving and this year CFCU is collecting Winter Care Kit items to give to LOCAL non-profits.

Now through the end of the year, you can drop off gently used coats, gloves, hats, socks, and other items at any of our 11 branches to be donated to one of the following organizations.

Clearlake – Hope Center
Napa – Adobe Services
Sonoma County – The Living Room

Help us make this winter a little easier on our neighbors. All contributions are greatly appreciated.
Save the Date for CFCU’s Annual Member Meeting
The 63rd Annual Meeting of the CFCU Membership will take place Wednesday, April 20. Time and place to be determined. Look for more details in the January 2022 newsletter.
Earn More While You Save!
Advantage Money Market Accounts
Did you know you could be earning more on your savings? An Advantage Money Market account offers a higher rate than you would get with a traditional savings account while still providing easy access to your money.

Advantage Money Market account holders earn more on their savings because they hold an auto or real estate loan, a credit card, or have a LOCAL Advantage Plus Checking account with Community First.

If you want to earn a great rate but still access your account at any time - without having to worry about early withdrawal penalties - a Money Market account is the way to go!

•  Four different balance tiers available
•  Annual percentage yield rises automatically as you hit higher dollar tiers
•  Higher account balance = higher rewards!
•  Minimum balance - $10K

Check out our current rates, you could be earning up to 0.45% (APY)!

Want to start earning more on savings? It’s easy.

Simply stop by your favorite LOCAL branch, give us a call at 707/546-6000, or request one through Online Banking Secured Messaging.
IRAs are a great way to save LOCALLY
It's never too early to start thinking about retirement
The end of a year means the beginning of a new one. And what better time to start planning for your new year savings resolution than with an Individual Retirement Account from your hometown financial co-op? 
 
Community First has IRAs as individual as you are. We offer both Traditional and Roth IRAs.
 
A Traditional IRA allows you to defer taxes on your earnings until those earnings are withdrawn. Additionally, certain contributions are likely tax deductible in the year they are made. Therefore: double savings!
 
A Roth IRA features tax-free withdrawals for most distributions after a five-year holding period. Since Roth IRA contributions are non-deductible and taxed when they are earned, Members who expect to be in a higher tax bracket when they retire may benefit more from a Roth than a Traditional IRA. Also, unlike a Traditional IRA, there is no requirement to begin taking distribution at age 70 ½.
 
Both Traditional and Roth IRAs allow you to start withdrawals without penalties at age 59 ½.
 
How to get started? Stop by your nearest branch of Community First or contact our LOCALLY staffed Call Center (707/546-6000).
 
·     Minimum of $100 to open an IRA
·     Contribute via “lump sums” or by regular deposits
·     Dividends are paid monthly
·     Annual account maintenance fee is only $5 (CFCU has reporting requirements to the IRS)

To learn more about IRAs, here is a handy comparison of Traditional vs. Roth supplied by the Internal Revenue Service: https://www.irs.gov/retirement-plans/traditional-and-roth-iras
707-546-6000
PO Box 6004,
Santa Rosa, CA 95406