Community First Credit Union, a full-service credit union based in Jacksonville with membership open to anyone who lives on the First Coast, has opened its newly built Fleming Island branch at 2004 East West Parkway. The branch replaces the former retail location at 1545 County Road 220. The freestanding branch is in front of the newly opened Fresh Market on a parcel Community First owns.
The opening 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 Fleming Island Branch is on a corner with more parking as well as a full-service drive-thru and drive-up ATM. Community First has more than 5,000 members in Fleming Island who use this branch for their daily and weekly banking.
“We are proud to serve our Fleming Island members with this brand-new branch,” said John Hirabayashi, CEO and president of Community First. “This location provides convenience and an enhanced experience in modern, in-person banking.”
Construction took approximately seven months and is 3,360 square feet. The number of branch employees remains the same for the new location. DBSI, a nationwide leader in banking and credit union branch transformations, designed and built the new branch.
The interior design features modern bright colors, furniture and finishes along with a mix of carpet and solid flooring and surfaces. The interior also features a relaxation zone, interactive tablets, transaction counters without barriers, a digital community board and other technology-based solutions. The branch experience includes full- and self-service and assisted service options through a discovery bar and interactive kiosks along with traditional teller service. Specialized financial experts are instantly available through the credit union’s Expert Nearby solution, which gives members instant access to a member service representative for help with consumer loans, mortgages and other specialized services.
The branch also has a distinctive cylindrical glass tower, one of the credit union’s signature exterior features in its newly constructed branches. The tower’s interior will serve as a community room available for use by local organizations and businesses.
In addition to opening the Fleming Island Branch, the credit union has recently launched construction of a new, expansion branch at Oakleaf Plantation and has started the renovation of its Jacksonville Beach location.