Community First Credit Union Review: Is It Right For You?

Community First Credit Union Overview

Community First Credit Union has been in business for nearly 70 years and now has 25 branches located throughout northeast Wisconsin. It offers banking services, loans and investments, as well as a range of corporate banking services.

Main characteristics

Here’s a look at what members get with Community First Credit Union.

APY

Community First Credit Union’s regular savings account has a 0% APY. A $5 deposit is required to open an account, and members must have at least a $100 balance in order to qualify for APY.

Community First Credit Union also requires a $5 deposit to open a checking account. Once set up, a monthly fee of $5 will apply unless a minimum daily balance of $200 is maintained by the account owner. For the regular checking account, members will be able to earn interest on balances over $500. There are two rates depending on the amount on the account:

Community First Credit Union’s Affordable Money Market Account earns interest when a balance of $7,500 is maintained. The standard APY for accounts meeting this requirement is %. Otherwise, members will not earn interest and will be charged a monthly fee of $15.

Community First Credit Union offers several options for certificates of deposit (CDs), with terms ranging from three months to five years. Here’s a breakdown of the APY for each:

Advantages

Customers can get exclusive deals on loans if they meet certain criteria. If members sign up for verification and automatically scheduled loan payments (auto-pay), they can earn 0.50% back on their loan. If direct deposit is added on top, it’s a 1% discount.

A team of financial advisors is available for 401(k), individual retirement accounts, Roth IRAs and retirement planning, as well as information on investing in stocks and bonds.

Various calculators are also available to help customers with their personal finances. These range from general budgeting to insurance, retirement, loans and debt.

Some products

In addition to some of Community First Credit Union’s interest-earning accounts, it offers several other beneficial financial products and services for its members.

Insurance coverage is available for many motor vehicles as well as boats, recreational vehicles and more. Additionally, homeowners, renters, and life insurance policies can be guaranteed by Community First Credit Union.

Members can browse Community First Credit Union’s suite of loan products. Here is a breakdown of some of the options:

Type of loan	Mandate’s duration	APR
Car loans	From 24 to 84 months	From 2.50%
Home Equity Loans	From 6 to 30 years old	From 3.016%
Personal loans	From 36 to 84 months	From 7.49%

Community First Credit Union also offers instant loans with its Kwik Cash line of credit, starting at 13.90% APR, as well as private student loans.

Finally, customers can also obtain a credit card from Community First Credit Union. No annual fee applies and it offers a low APR.

Customer service

Community First Credit Union has four points of contact for customer service:

• Call
• Branches
• Online form or email
• Secure Message Center in the app or with online banking

Community First Credit Union’s phone number is 920-830-7200, and it offers customer phone support six days a week, excluding holidays. Members can contact live representatives from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. CST Monday through Friday or 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. CST on Saturday.

Alternatively, clients can speak with a professional at one of the local branches or complete an online form and specify their preferred method of communication for correspondence.

If they choose to use the secure message center, members can send any required information or documentation.

How does Community First Credit Union stand out?

Community First Credit Union stands out for its wide range of personal finance products as well as its advisory services, useful calculators and financial advice solutions.

Comparable options

Here’s how Community First Credit Union fares against some of its close competitors.

Shoreline Credit Union

Community First Credit Union has a higher minimum APR on Kwik Cash loans than Shoreline Credit Union. Community First starts at 13.90%, while Shoreline rates are as low as 11.99%.

Historic Credit Union

Community First Credit Union and Landmark Credit Union offer CDs with similar terms, but Community First’s APYs are higher in all cases. In some cases, Community First’s APYs are more than triple those of Landmark. For example, the six-month APY CD is % with Community First and Only 0% with Landmark.

How to register

New members can join Community First Credit Union by visiting a branch, contacting by phone, or registering online. The following information will be required to apply:

• Valid ID
• Social Security number
• Date of Birth
• Contact details
• Proof of address

A minimum deposit may be required to join, such as $5 for a savings account.

Who is Community First Credit Union Best For

Community First Credit Union offers a wide selection of services suitable for everyone at all stages of life. If you are located in northeast Wisconsin, this credit union is worth a visit.

Final grip

Community First Credit Union offers consumers a wide range of financial options and competitive APYs. It’s a great all round personal finance provider.

Rates are subject to change; unless otherwise specified, prices are updated periodically. All other account information is accurate as of July 4, 2022.

Editorial Note: This content is not provided by Community First Credit Union. Any opinions, analyses, criticisms, evaluations, or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the author alone and have not been reviewed, endorsed, or otherwise endorsed by Community First Credit Union.