Community First Credit Union Continues Record Investment in its Branch Network

Credit union plans Branch 22 in Murabella, St. Johns

JACKSONVILLE, Fla., April 25, 2023 – Community First Credit Union announces it has purchased a site for its 22nd area branch, located on the northwest corner of State Road 16 and Pacetti Rd. in Murabella in St. Johns County. The 1.23-acre site in the Mill Creek retail development was purchased in April, and plans for the new branch are in development.

Construction on the freestanding branch is set to begin in 2023, with a projected opening in 2024. Upon completion, the 3,000-square-foot branch will feature a full-service 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 Murabella branch will have an open floor plan, upgraded digital technologies, and a historical mural depicting the history of the Murabella/World Golf Village area. The branch will serve the nearly 2,000 Community First members living within five miles of the shopping center.

“This branch is part of our strategic focus to serve members where they are,” said John Hirabayashi, CEO and president of Community First. “We are aggressively improving and expanding our local branch network to meet the evolving needs of our region.”

Community First is undertaking its largest one-time investment in its branch network with three expansion branches in the works. The credit union recently started construction on its 20th branch at Northpoint Village in North Jacksonville, its 21st branch at Boulevard Crossing (Beach and University Boulevards) and relocated its Mandarin Branch to Mandarin Station.

The new branch in Murabella 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. The Murabella branch will be Community First’s second location in St. Johns County, where it has served members with branch services for over 23 years.

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 largest credit unions in Florida with $2.7 billion in assets and serving 170,000 members. Community First has 19 locations and nearly 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.