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Community First Credit Union Unveils Renovated Jacksonville Beach Branch

By: Maria Coppola, APR, CPRC

Posted on 7/2/2018 4:31:55 PM

Credit Union improved and upgraded its existing location to better serve the beaches

JACKSONVILLE, Fla., June 21, 2018 – Community First Credit Union, a full-service credit union based in Jacksonville with membership open to anyone who lives on the First Coast, announces it has completed the full interior and exterior renovation of its existing Beaches branch at 1451 S. Third Street in Jacksonville Beach.

The renovation is part of the credit union’s Branch Transformation Project, the institution’s most aggressive and comprehensive branch and facilities upgrade and update in its history which seeks to align physical branch locations with modern banking needs and customer uses. The Beach Branch renovation and retrofitting included interior and exterior upgrades and modernizations.

Community First has served the beaches for 34 years since it opened membership to its residents in 1984. At that time the credit union had a part-time location and opened a full-time, full service location in 1985. Community First purchased the current location in 1994 and located all its beaches operations to the new building. The beaches location serves more than 11,000 members.

“We are proud to upgrade our beaches branch,” said John Hirabayashi, CEO and president of Community First. “Our members who rely on this location can look forward to an upgraded banking experience as well as modern technology and features outside and in.”

The credit union will celebrate with a free and public grand opening on Saturday, June 23 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The event will feature great food, family fun activities and incentives for opening new accounts including $50 just for opening a checking account or referring a friend. Community First will also give the first 50 attendees a free Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp ticket and all attendees can enter to win a new beach cruiser.

The branch was designed to maintain a coastal design feel while embracing the new design of Community First’s newly constructed and renovated branch locations.

The interior design features modern bright colors, furniture and finishes along with a mix of carpet and solid flooring and surfaces, most of which are sustainable or recycled. The interior also features a relaxation zone, interactive tablets, transaction counters without barriers, a digital community board and advisory stations. The branch experience includes full- and self-service and assisted service options and interactive kiosks. Specialized financial experts are instantly available through the credit union’s Expert Nearby solution.

In addition to renovating its Beaches branch, the credit union has recently opened its newly-built Fleming Island branch, announced that it will be moving its Yulee branch to a new location this fall and has started construction of its Oakleaf Plantation location, an expansion branch that will increase the credit union’s network to 19 locations.  

About Community First Credit Union
Community First Credit Union of Florida is a state-chartered credit union based in Jacksonville serving anyone who lives or works on the First Coast. Community First is one of the 10 largest credit unions in the state, serving more than 126,000 members and with assets of $1.6 billion. Community First has 18 locations and 300 employees. A not-for-profit, Community First is a full-service financial institution offering banking, loans, mortgages and investments for consumers and businesses throughout the First Coast.

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