Community First Credit Union Buys Site at Beachwalk for Branch 23
Credit union to build freestanding location, its third in St. Johns County
JACKSONVILLE, Fla., November 2, 2023 – Community First Credit Union has purchased a 1.23-acre site at Beachwalk in St. Johns County which is slated to become the credit union’s 23rd branch location. Construction in Beachwalk is expected to start in spring 2024 with an opening in early 2025. Community First closed the deal with Beachwalk Retail Center, LLC on November 1.
Community First’s Beachwalk location is an outparcel to the retail center located at Old County Road 210 and Beachwalk Blvd. Upon completion, the 3,150-square-foot Beachwalk Branch will feature a full-service lobby and drive-thru, two ATMs (drive-up and walk-up), and Community First’s signature tower feature.
Designed with Community First's modern branch concept, the Beachwalk Branch will have an open floor plan, upgraded digital technologies, and a historical mural depicting the history of western St. Johns. The branch will serve the nearly 4,000 Community First members living within five miles of the retail center.
“Western St. Johns County has been growing exponentially,” said John Hirabayashi, CEO and president of Community First. “The Beachwalk Branch will triple our branch footprint in St. Johns County and seeks to meet the evolving needs of our region and serve members where they are.”
Community First is undertaking a historic investment in its branch network with now four expansion branches in the works or newly opened in 2023. The credit union recently opened its 20th branch at Northpoint Village in North Jacksonville, has nearly completed its 21st branch at Boulevard Crossing (Beach and University Boulevards) and relocated its Mandarin Branch to Mandarin Station. It recently started construction on Branch 22 located in Murabella, St. Johns.
The new Beachwalk Branch is part of the credit union’s Branch Transformation Project, which aims to enhance member service by configuring spaces to create a modern retail experience. Beachwalk will be the credit union’s third branch location in St. Johns County.
Community First Credit Union of Florida, named Florida’s 2022 Credit Union of the Year by the LSCU, 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 largest credit unions in Florida with $2.7 billion in assets and serving 171,000 members. Community First has 20 locations and more than 400 employees. A not-for-profit, Community First is a full-service financial institution offering banking, loans, mortgages and investments for consumers and businesses across the First Coast.
###
