John Hirabayashi Receives Distinguished Service Award from the LSCU

Retiring CEO of Community First to be inducted into Credit Union Hall of Leaders at the Credit Union House in Washington, D.C.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla., June 13, 2024 – John Hirabayashi, outgoing CEO and president of Community First Credit Union, has received the Distinguished Service Award from the League of Southeastern Credit Unions (LSCU). The award recognizes credit union professionals with lifelong service to the credit union movement. The award was presented at the 2024 Southeastern Credit Union Conference & Expo (SCUCE) in Orlando, Florida on Thursday, June 13, 2024. 

Hirabayashi will retire in August after a 28-year career at Community First. This award also means Hirabayashi will be inducted into the Credit Union Hall of Leaders at the Credit Union House in Washington, D.C. He is the first Community First leader to earn these honors. The induction will be held at the Credit Union National Association (CUNA) Governmental Affairs Conference (GAC) in March 2025.

“John is a dedicated leader in the credit union space, and he is more than deserving of our highest award,” said LSCU President Samantha Beeler. “He has mentored countless credit union professionals over the years, and his undying commitment to service, integrity, and innovation will continue to help drive our movement for many years to come.”

Hirabayashi joined the credit union as CEO in 1996 when he came to Jacksonville to lead the credit union when it was known as Educational Community Credit Union, which had $200 million in assets, 44,000 members and seven branches. Under Hirabayashi’s leadership, the credit union has grown exponentially, become a community-chartered credit union, and rebranded as Community First Credit Union. Community First Credit Union now serves more than 175,000 members with more than $2.8 billion in assets, making it one of Florida’s largest credit unions. 

“I am deeply honored and humbled to receive this award,” said Hirabayashi, President and CEO of Community First Credit Union. “I am very grateful for the opportunity to serve our employees, members, and community over the years. A heartfelt thank you to everyone who has supported and encouraged me throughout my credit union career.” 

Community First was founded in Downtown Jacksonville in 1935 and remains Downtown’s longest continually operating financial institution. It has two headquarters locations in LaVilla. Community First consistently outperforms the national averages in various indicators of financial strength and stability among credit unions.

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 $2.8 billion in assets and serving 173,000 members. Community First has 22 locations and more than 450 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. Visit www.communityfirstfl.org.

The League of Southeastern Credit Unions & Affiliates represents nearly 300 credit unions throughout Alabama, Florida, and Georgia. It has a combined total of almost $200 billion in assets and 12.4 million members. LSCU provides advocacy, compliance services, education and training, cooperative initiatives, and communications. For more information, visit www.lscu.coop. Follow LSCU on Facebook, LinkedIn,  and X.

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