BEST CREDIT UNION
“The goal is to blend the latest in banking technology with local service.” —Scott Johnson, president and CEO C OMMUNITY FIRST CREDIT UNION
By Bo Kearns
“W e are incredibly honored to be recognized by our fellow community members,” says Scott Johnson, president and CEO. “This award embodies the mission of our credit union. Providing the best financial products and customer service to our communities, not lining the pockets of Wall Street.” Community First Credit Union (CFCU) was founded 60 years ago by teachers. Since then, the nonprofit financial cooperative has grown to 62,000 members currently, and $824 million in assets as of the end of 2022. The credit union covers five Northern California counties—Sonoma, Napa, Lake, Mendocino and Marin. “We honor our roots by creating
Community First has multiple community partnerships with organizations like the Sonoma County Bicycle Coalition, Go Local, Redwood Empire Food Bank and more.
CFCU was designated a Community Development Financial Institution by the U.S. Department of the Treasury. This notable recognition is awarded to institutions that provide access to affordable financial products and services to underserved, economically distressed communities. “CFCU began a brand transformation in 2022,” Johnson says. “We call it ‘The New Local.’ The goal is to blend the latest in banking technology with local service. This has resulted in an all-new banking hub that enables our 11 branches to offer the same features and conveniences of a mega-bank, along with superior service at the local level.” Anyone who lives, works or goes to school in the five counties covered by CFCU (or has an immediate relative who does) is eligible to become a CFCU member. The membership fee is $5 and free for those under 18 years of age. The minimum amount required to open an account is $25. v
financial programs to benefit local students and teachers alike,” Johnson says. “We have an extensive financial literacy program taught by an in-house educator. And we put our money where our mouth is by sponsoring [Sonoma County Office of Education’s] Teacher of the Year awards and providing educators with annual calendars at all schools in the five counties we serve.” An offering of note is CFCU’s Youth Agriculture loan program that’s custom tailored for participants in the agricultural industry. It’s hands-on and provides youth the opportunity to learn budgeting, planning and how to navigate the lending process. Other special financial products include Individual Taxpayer Identification Number mortgages, manufactured home loans, marijuana related business accounts and a Be-A-Teacher loan program. And there are home loans, savings accounts, checking, personal loans, credit cards and loans for vehicles.
comfirstcu.org
Best of the North Bay 2024
Northbaybiz 59
Made with FlippingBook - PDF hosting