Community First, since 1959, has been Doing Good!
Is CFCU the Goldilocks of Financial Institutions?
In the lead article below, we neglected to add the word “million,” which was rather important. Yes, our assets (as of Nov. 30, 2021) were $751.1 MILLION. We apologize for this embarrassing error.

Community First ended November 2021 (the last month for which we have final figures at press time) with $751.1 million in assets. That makes us among the top 12% of credit unions by size nationally.

At our current size we have economies of scale and the financial might to offer a full menu of deposit and loan options. Moreover, by not being a trillion-dollar bank, or a multi-billion-dollar credit union, our “Goldilocks” size means we can still act humanely, personally, locally and quickly on behalf of our Members. We think it’s the best of all worlds.

As always, we thank you for your Membership. We exist only because of Members, and on behalf of Members.

Here’s to a safe and prosperous 2022!
Market-leading Car Loans
At 2.20% (APR), our vehicle loan rate is among the lowest in our market area. And, unlike the banks, that same great rate is applied to USED vehicles as well. Wow.

That best rate comes with having good credit. But, not to worry, we’ve recently lowered our rates for those with less-than-perfect credit. Check out our rate sheet here.

Community First is doing its part to help Members afford safe and reliable vehicles to get them to work, school or adventures.

Remember: through our InDirect lending agreement with auto dealers, you can go to any dealership in our five-county footprint, negotiate your best deal, and when the finance manager asks, “How do you want to finance your new vehicle?” you simply answer, “Community First Credit Union.” The dealer can do your loan right there, right then. 

And you drive away.
VISA® Cards to Fit You
Community First offers three convenient options to Members with our locally designed VISA® cards: 1) REWARDS for maximum rewards; 2) TRADITIONAL for lowest rate; and 3) SHARE SECURE for building or repairing credit.

The Signature Rewards is the best card for Members who typically pay their monthly balance in full, and who want to be rewarded for that financial discipline.

Rewards include:

  • No annual fee
  • Member receives 1 point for every $1 spent. Points can be redeemed for cash back, air miles, hotels, purchases with merchants, and gift cards
  • Pays up to $2,000 for trip cancellation
  • Pays up to $3,000 for lost luggage
  • Pays up to $500,000 for accidental death
  • VISA Cardholder benefits such as Auto Rental Collision Waiver
  • 24-hour Global Customer Service

To find out more on any of our VISA® cards, stop by your favorite branch or click here.
Now in Our 63rd Year!
Founded in 1959 by local school teachers (who were denied home loans from banks because teachers didn’t get paid during summer months), Community First is now 63 years old. January is our birthday.

Despite the ups and downs of the economy throughout the years, high and low interest rate cycles, and even a global pandemic, we’ve never had a lay-off. We are here to stay, and we are here to do good.

Unlike a for-profit bank whose No. 1 mission is to increase stock value for people who usually aren’t even customers of the bank, Community First pushes would-be profits back to its Members in the form higher deposit rates, lower loan rates and a near absence of fees, or to the cooperative itself –– to make it better and more convenient for its Member-Owners: you.

We are convinced that a cooperative is the most customer-friendly, customer-rewarding way to run a business. Most of us deal with cooperatives every day. Some better-known ones include:

  • Ace Hardware
  • Associated Press
  • Best Western
  • Blue Diamond Growers
  • FTD florists
  • Green Bay Packers
  • Land O’ Lakes
  • Ocean Spray
  • REI
  • Sunkist
  • True Value Hardware
  • Ukiah Natural Foods
  • Welch’s Foods

Because Community First is a cooperative, we cooperate with others. That’s why you can use your CFCU debit/ATM card at Redwood, Patelco, or any other credit union (and vice versa), at any Walgreen’s, Costco, 7-Eleven … 34,400 ATMs nationally in all. By contrast Wells Fargo has only 12,200 ATMs nationally.

Tell a friend. There’s a better way to bank, and it’s right in your hometown!
Five Positions Up for Re-Election to Board, Supervisory Committee 
During this year’s Annual Meeting of the Membership, our 63rd, there will be elections for three Board Members, and two Supervisors. Each has a three-year term. All positions are voluntary and without pay, but you do get to help shape and guide the direction of this growing LOCAL credit union.

If you are interested in finding out more:

  1. send queries to the Nominating Committee to: director@comfirstcu.org
  2. the application needs to be completed and postmarked no later than Friday, Feb. 18
  3. application to be sent to: Community First Nominating Committee, PO Box 6004, Santa Rosa, CA. 95406-0004.

This year’s meeting will be held Wednesday, April 20. Due to COVID protocols it will likely have to be virtual (again, ugh). Precise time to be determined.
707-546-6000
PO Box 6004,
Santa Rosa, CA 95406