Credit Unions are vastly preferred to big banks because of local control which you can access. I have had terrible problems with all the big banks I have associated with over the years. I maintained a CU account in the Bay Area for over 50 years, choosing to keep it when I moved to Ukiah. But it became necessary to open a local account so I could walk in and get cash or solve problems in person and I chose Mendo Lake after talking to Redwood Valley CU. Over the years I have gone into (now) First Community infrequently and the results have been mixed. There were times when the staff seemed inexperienced, anxious about answering questions, officious or disinterested. This was primarily when companies all over town were begging for employees and were hiring anyone breathing. In the past year the atmosphere has changed. The employees have been friendly and helpful, efficient without pushing you out as fast as possible, and able to explain most policies. If they need management approval, it is sought without much ado. I have been very pleased with my recent interactions as long as I go inside. There are no instructions for use of the drive through. I have chosen to move more of my financial interactions to FCCU-Ukiah. read more

AVOID this institution, and an "institution" it is! I'd recommend a local bank over CFCU! If you want a credit union that appreciates and values you, choose Redwood Credit Union instead. At CFCU, you can expect every rigmarole and anti-customer "policy" you'd get at any big bank. Some of their staff are very cool, but most are rude and act like you are there to serve THEM. read more

A new breed of Credit Union with great customer service. They have great programs and opportunities for their customers. I listened to their plan and it's better than my credit union for rates and features. read more

Community First Credit Union - Banks & Credit Unions Near Me - Ukiah, California

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It serves its purpose well enough, and the staff here are always super friendly and helpful. I just wish Community First wouldn't charge five-plus NSF fees in a row for a single overdraft - went $5 over budget and a day later I was $40 in the red, all due to consecutive NSF fees. Calling customer service didn't help; they "graciously" canceled one fee after five minutes of repeatedly telling me "the bank charges NSF fees when your account is overdrawn" without actually answering why the bank charged multiple fees for the same, single instance. read more

My last credit union was cold, unfriendly, and impersonal. Not once did I walk away thinking "Wow, that was a good interaction" ... but I AM a fan of the concept of credit unions. In fact, Community First CU financed the purchase of a mobile home for us in February. We were really wanting to open checking/savings accounts, and who better than with the institution we are already doing business with. I planned to deposit an unusual check: it was a facsimile of the original, and had been returned to me because of a misunderstanding on the endorsement (stated that the facsimile was a legal form of the check) . With intentions to open a joint account with my husband, realizing it would be several days before the check cleared, until the funds were available. I stated this to the teller we approached, explaining that we wanted to open an account. She looked at the check, and at my ID, sighed (yes, an audible sigh) and said she needed to speak with her manager. We were next led to a desk in the lobby, and a woman named Robin sat down. I explained that we had a mortgage from Community 1st, and now that we are living in Ukiah, we need a local account, and it makes sense to go with our lender. She consulted the computer, asked some questions, and told us that we needed proof of residency. I asked if that was really necessary- after all, we have a loan with you, the letter from my CU that accompanied the returned check had my new address on it, which matched the address for the loan. She told me it was necessary. Never ONCE was I made to feel welcome, or like my business was appreciated. In fact, the opposite. The teller was clearly inconvenienced when she had to find a manager. And then that person, Robin was cold, not at all helpful ... as if I was trying to run a scam on them. I left feeling like I was assumed to be doing something criminal. Not at all a good feeling. Just a little bit of empathy or asking questions would have resolved it. I could have found my cable bill, or PGE sign-up on my phone. Again, it was as if they didn't want to deal with me. That will be the last time I visit Community 1st except if it's an emergency related to my loan (a loan-related emergency? Lol). The following g day, we went to Redwood Credit Union, and opened our accounts. People remember how you make them feel. read more

Unless you want to be in perpetual debt, this financial institution has no reason to compromise with anyone. Bottom lines are important, however context is everything. I have been stuck with a perpetual auto loan that continues to rack up insurance fees even after I've shown proof of insurance. To this day my outstanding balance is 3000 all from insurance policy renewals and monthly insurance charges. If you want to be taken advantage of, manipulated and not cared for come here just like any other bank such as chase or bank of America. "Where we refuse to act like a wall street bank" Lol thats funny. I get it bottom lines are important and protecting assets is essential, but for a vehicle that has been paid off, and all thats left is insurance fees, i have no clue why this bank has yet to compromise with me. The worst bank ever, closing my account once this nightmare is over. I DONT SUGGEST THIS BANK TO ANYONE read more

The worst credit union. We moved to Ukiah, and I got a new job and needed an account for direct deposit. I went with this credit union, and I wish I hadn't. I went in to set up an account, and I felt the lady could've been a bit friendlier. She never really smiled, and every time I tried to make small talk, it was really uncomfortable. After I got my account set up, and my card came, and I wanted to set up my Apple Pay. Holy moly, that took two weeks for them to set it up, no joke. They would say that it was set up on their end, but on mine it wasn't. They had me on the phone with numerous representatives, and even had me call some number outside of the credit union to figure it out (Mobile Wallet). Once that was finally resolved, everything seemed to be rolling fine. Well, after a couple months, I accidentally lost my debit card. It was a Saturday and I called the number to cancel the existing card and to send a new one. Community First was closed, so it was a number that dealt with numerous credit unions. The man on the line said they couldn't find my account. He said they could only look up by your name with the credit union. I asked if he could search by my account number or social security number, which he told me they couldn't. So I was stuck with a lost card that couldn't be canceled and had to wait until Monday when the credit union opened to get it cancelled. He had me call MasterCard, which i got a lady that i could not understand very well. She asked if i was using a landline or a cellphone. I told her i was calling from my cellphone and said it would be a $10 charge for the call!! I called Community's First on Monday and just canceled the entire account and went with Redwood Credit Union. So far, much nicer employees and a far better experience. I was able to get a debit card that same day. read more

Friendly staff. I like the idea of a local credit union over the big branch of banks. You always get the feel here that it is local and they truly care about the customer. read more

Opened a new account here today on my lunch break. Alex was awesome. She answered all of my questions. And she had me in and out in less than thirty minutes. She even helped me set up the wireless banking app and explained all the fine print on the disclosures. I will definitely be back. And I will refer everyone I know to this Credit union and to her. Thank you. You rock. read more

I have held accounts here since 1988 and have always had excellent service! One cannot ask for better service! Mendo Lake is a great community supporter!! read more

Mendo Lake Credit Union is a great benefit to our community. By choosing to bank here you are helping our area prosper, and supporting high quality locally based jobs and resources. We have had great success with MLCU for our personal and business banking needs, and we highly recommend this credit union to everyone in Lake & Mendocino Counties. read more

If everyone didnt look so miserable, and the manager didnt sit in her office trying to look busy, it would be a better place. It is like a sad library. The lunch hour is harsh, try not to get there around that time for sure! They do not have a clue how to handle the lunch rush. I gave them two stars because they have very competivite rates, I just with I never had to walk into that sad, sad place!! read more