Community First Credit Union (FL) is headquartered in Jacksonville and is the 12th largest credit union in the state of Florida. It is also the 166th largest credit union in the nation. It was established in 1961 and as of March of 2025, it had grown to 449 employees and 181,507 members at 24 locations. Community First Credit Union (FL)'s CD rates are 5X the national average, and it boasts an A+ health rating.
Field of Membership Restrictions
Membership in Community First Credit Union is open to those who live, work. or attend school in the Florida counties of Baker, Brevard, Broward, Clay, Duval, Flagler, Indian River, Lake, Martin, Nassau, Orange, Palm Beach, Putnam, Seminole, St. Johns, St. Lucie, or Volusia. Membership is also open to any relative of an existing Community First Credit Union of Florida member or any relative of anyone eligible to join.
See current membership details
"Community First" (HAHAHA)
I applied to join the "community first" (HAHAHA) credit union yesterday. I also applied for one of their credit cards, and was approved immediately with an astronomical $16,200 limit. Wow! I received a confirmation call today, which I totally expected, and was told I just had to open a member share to proceed. I related I already did that, and was just waiting for my member number. Were they able to see what was going on and expedite the process? I was told I would have to speak to member services. I dialed the different number I was given, and was oddly told they couldn't find my social nor application number, which I had handy.
On to a member specialist. I had waited 22 minutes at this point, only to be told they were denying me membership. In a credit union?!?! Why you might ask, dear reader? Because I had opened a few other credit union accounts. Reason 1: to shop for the best bank for my needs and 2: to place some current savings funds (where interest rates were quickly dropping) into guaranteed rate CDs. Credit Unions have higher rates, but you have to open a member share and they famously have a limit of funds you can deposit. Thus you are forced to shop different banks for the best rates; as well as utilize a few to get your funds into various CDs. So: because I have more than a few accounts at other credit unions --- all in good standing and with thousands of dollars --- I was a FRAUD RISK according to "community first" credit union.
I asked for a supervisor and was given a branch manager after more hold time. She was unswayed and sounded like she had a child nearby during business hours. She refused to even consider an appeal or looking into my finances to see I am in no way a "fraud risk", she just gave an out of hand rejection. Pardon me! There are hundreds of banks I can use, but I really wanted to stay in my home state, and they had a really nice new account bonus. Too bad for me, a fiscally responsible single person trying to make the best use of her hard earned funds in a situation where interest rates are tanking. How dare I want to give "community first" credit union the chance to use my money!
The worst part is I took hits to my previously 812 credit score for absolutely nothing, as well as wasted a lot of time and energy. They withdrew their previous credit card approval, but not the ding on my credit report. What a fine how do you do! I invite you to save yourself this kind of treatment by going any where else instead of bothering with this place.
DO NOT Open An Account Here
DO not open an account at this credit union!!!! I recently opened an account at this credit union and I opened a checking account and purchased a CD. After I opened the account, I was told that I could not deposit checks larger than $1000 with a limit of 2 per day and that the total amount for the month would be $6000 for the first 60 days. I called customer service to request a increase on these amounts since my business well exceeds both amounts. Customer service told me that they would be back to me in 2days. Well over one month later and 5 calls to customer service without an answer and two calls with left messages to the local branch that were not returned, I decided to close the account. I was told that because I was closing the CD earlier, I had to pay a penalty of $359 on the CD when the interest was only $25!!! No where online was this stated. I was told that it was in the fine print of the CD disclosure I was given when I opened the account.
AVOID THIS ESTABLISHMENT
Customer Service Sucks
Customer service sucks don't do business with these CROOKED CORRUPT DEMOCRAPS
DO NOT BANK HERE
Scandalizes, liars, theives. Make sure to record all phone calls
Data as of Q1 2025
Learn why bank health mattersHealth Grade Components
| Overall | |
|---|---|
| NCUA # | 67290 |
| Year Chartered | 1961 |
| Employees | 449 |
| Primary Regulator | |
| Profit Margin | |
|---|---|
| Return on Assets - YTD | 0.73% |
| Return on Equity - YTD | 6.16% |
| Annual Interest Income | $34.2MM |
| Assets and Liabilities | ||
|---|---|---|
| Assets | Q1 2025vs Q1 2024 | $2.83B$2.8B |
| Loans | Q1 2025vs Q1 2024 | $2.07B$1.93B |
| Deposits | Q1 2025vs Q1 2024 | $2.46B$2.3B |
| Equity Capital | Q1 2025vs Q1 2024 | $331MM$310.8MM |
| Loan Loss Allowance | Q1 2025vs Q1 2024 | $41.3MM$28.1MM |
| Unbacked Noncurrent Loans | Q1 2025vs Q1 2024 | $13.5MM$11.5MM |
| Real Estate Owned | Q1 2025vs Q1 2024 | $0$0 |
