Community First has a rich history that began in 1953 when our founder Maurice Dresang organized Outagamie County Credit Union. Mr. Dresang was subsequently asked to manage Zwickernit Credit Union and Postal Employees Credit Union. In 1970 a vacant grocery store building on Richmond Street was remodeled and became home to the Appleton Credit Union Service Center which was established to accommodate service to members from all three credit unions in one location.

Founding Board of Directors In 1976 The Appleton Area Credit Union was chartered. The community charter allowed individuals from throughout the community the opportunity to benefit from credit union membership. By 1978 there were 13 different credit unions being serviced by the Appleton Credit Union Service Center and on September 20, 1983 those 13 credit unions merged into one credit union.

That credit union was named Community First Credit Union. This merger was the largest in credit union history.

Since that time five credit unions have merged with Community First and our branch network has grown to 20 full service branch locations and three high school branches. With over $1.8 Billion in assets, Community First Credit Union serves more than 100,000 members in 13 counties in Northeastern and Central Wisconsin.

1953	Outagamie County Employees Credit Union is organized.
1966	Maury Dresang is asked to manage Zwickernit Credit Union
1969	Maury Dresang is asked to manage the Postal Employees Credit Union
1970	Outagamie County Employees Credit Union, Zwickernit Credit Union and Postal Employees Credit Union form the Appleton Credit Union Service Center
1975	The Appleton Community Credit Union is chartered.
1978	13 Service Center credit unions merge into the Appleton Area Credit Union
1983	September 20, 1983 the Appleton Area Credit Union becomes Community First Credit Union
1984	April 1984, Oneida Street Branch opens
1986	The Community First Insurance Center is incorporated
1986	December 1, 1986, Allis Chalmers Appleton Employee Credit Union merges with Community First Credit Union
1987	January 5, 1987, the Ballard Road Branch becomes Community First's fourth location
1989	February 1, 1989, the Waupaca Area Credit Union merges with Community First
1988	July 1988, the Nicolet Branch Opens
1988	Fall 1988, new branch building in Waupaca opens
1989	November 1989, Industrial Drive Branch opens
1991	October 1991, the branch at the King Veterans Home opens
1995	September 1995, corporate office opens on Oneida Street in Appleton
1999	Members Financial Service begins offering members investment and financial management options
1999	Community First unveils its newest location www.communityfirstcu.org
2001	March 2001, Oshkosh branch opens
2001	Community First student-run branch opens at Appleton West High School
2001	Community First opens a branch and convenience store at Touchmark Retirement Community
2001	Lakeport Credit Union in Manitowoc joins Community First
2003	New branches in both Darboy and Greenville open
2003	Branches at Appleton North High School and Oshkosh West High School open
2004	Appleton East High School Branch opens
2004	New branch opened in Manitowoc
2004	Wolf River Credit Union merges with Community First Credit Union
2006	Charter Expansion into the counties of Shawano, Oconto, Sheboygan, Fond du Lac, Green Lake and Waushara.
2006	New Branch at Fox Valley Technical College
2006	Nichols Branch opens
2008	Community First marks $1 Billion in assets
2008	Miller Electric Credit Union merges with Community First Credit Union.
2009	Opened our first Brown County Branch, in De Pere
2009	Opened a second Oshkosh Branch on South Park Street
2009	Opened Jefferson Elementary School Branch providing financial education and hands-on branch experience for kindergarten through 6th grade students.
2010	Community First Fox Cities Marathon had its 20th anniversary.
2010	Community First was the proud sponsor of the Lexington Homes BIG BUILD 2010 for Extreme Makeover: Home Edition.
2010	Manitowoc County Employees Credit Union merges with Community First Credit Union.
2011	Menasha Corporation Employees Credit Union merges with Community First Credit Union
2011	WPS Credit Union, Oshkosh merges with Community First Credit Union
2012	Community First opens a branch at Appleton Retirement Community
2012	Opened our Howard Branch in Green Bay.
2012	NewVISION Credit Union merges with Community First.
2012	Opened Roosevelt/Kaleidoscope Academy Middle School Credit Union providing financial education and hands-on branch experience for the students.
2013	Prime Financial Credit Union joins Community First and is now our Two Rivers Branch.

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History of Community First