About Us
Our Core Values
- Collaboration: Teamwork is key. We support each other in an inclusive, collaborative environment that values different perspectives.
- Commitment to Members: We enhance members' lives with quality products, first-class service, and prompt responses with respect and empathy.
- Community Involvement: We strengthen communities through initiatives that enhance financial education, community well-being, and economic progress.
- Continuous Improvement: We strive for excellence and continuous improvement through learning and growth.
- Creating Trust: We act with integrity, trust, and respect for members, teammates, and community partners.
- Creativity and Innovation: We continuously seek innovative ways to improve products, service delivery channels, and the overall member experience.
.jpg)
"Not for profit, not for charity, but for service."
In 1935, we began by supporting our members through the Great Depression. It was said that credit unions were "not for profit, not for charity, but for service," and that philosophy still holds true today.
Established
The story of Community First has unfolded from our launch in a high school basement as the Duval County Teachers Credit Union, to a 24-branch, more than 185,000-member financial institution open to all residents in Baker, Brevard, Broward, Clay, Duval, Flagler, Indian River, Lake, Martin, Nassau, Orange, Palm Beach, Putnam, Seminole, St. Johns, St. Lucie, and Volusia counties.
Founder
Raymond A. Vinson
Vinson was a nationally recognized credit union pioneer. He helped form more than 40 Florida credit unions, including Duval County Teacher's Credit Union, now Community First.
Learn more about the Raymond A. Vinson Scholarship offered by Community First.
Community First Downtown Branch in 1969
Each of our 24 branches provides full lobby service, ATM, and our full suite of deposit and loan products. Some locations offer notary services, investment services and more.
Community First members have access to thousands of fee-free ATMs. Access your money, deposit cash or checks, and more - anywhere, any time.
We offer a full suite of Business Banking options, from checking and savings to loans and treasury management.
Our commercial services team partners with you every step of the way.
Discover a full range of personal banking options, from checking to credit cards, home and auto loans, competitive CD rates, and much more.
"In every branch visit, every member encounter, every community event that we support, I see our purpose in action."
Sam Inman
Community First CEO
The Community First Cares Foundation was created to support non-profit organizations in Northeast Florida and serves to fund projects that improve financial literacy, education systems, health, and wellness.
Learn More About Us
Get a look at our financial performance, community impact and more in official Community First Annual Reports.
.png)
As we continue our remarkable legacy, we’re committed to a future marked by growth, transformation, and community impact. Join us in crafting the upcoming chapter of our Community First story – propelled by our unwavering commitment to serving our members.
- Fewer fees, great rates
- Community perks, like discounts to Community First Igloo
- Discounts on tax preparation
- Access to financial wellness programs
- Access to free financial counseling
FAQ
- You’re an owner, not just a customer. Unlike banks and online lenders, credit unions are not-for-profit financial cooperatives that serve their members and enjoy better service, fewer fees, and great rates.
- You’ll get all the banking products you want and the service you deserve. We offer a full range of personal and business banking products and services, as well a moveUp financial wellness program. And according to many online surveys, credit union members enjoy the highest customer satisfaction and some of the best rates on savings products in the U.S.
- You’ll receive additional rewards. Earnings are given back to credit union members in the form of dividends, higher savings rates, and lower loan rates. And as a member, you’ll also have a vote in electing the credit union’s volunteer board of directors during the annual membership meeting.
- Your deposits are protected. Credit union deposits (like the funds in your checking and savings account) are federally insured up to $250,000 by the federal government’s National Credit Union Administration (NCUA).
- You invest in your community. Community First Credit Union members are invested in Northeast Florida, not overseas. For 90 years, we have positively impacted our community and its expanding economy with charitable giving, volunteerism, and financial education. The Community First CARES Foundation raises funds supporting projects that meet our mission of improving health and wellness in our communities.
- You can bank right where you are. Community First is a state-chartered credit union based in Jacksonville, serving anyone who lives or works on the First Coast. We’re one of the largest credit unions in the state, serving more than 186,000 members through 24 branch locations. Become a member.
Community First Credit Union has an open-door news media policy
We strive to serve our community through our community relations and media relations efforts. We welcome inquiries about the credit union, our community partnerships, financial topics and wider economic market analysis. Our philosophy is simple – the credit union exists to serve members and our community through financial products, services and advice. The nonprofit credit union movement is collaborative and member-focused, offering sophisticated financial products and services with local control and management.
Our executives and management team are well-trained to engage with the media on a broad range of financial and economic topics. If you're working on a story, we’d be glad to connect you with a subject matter expert from our team who may be able to assist.
News Media Contact
We welcome inquiries on all financial topics. Contact Maria Coppola, APR, CPRC at 904-312-3321 or maria@coppolapr.com.
Social Media Contact
Contact our team regarding our social channels at social@c1cufl.org.