Community First Bank Review

How does your bank stack up?

  • Financial Rates: 3.0 Star Icon
  • Customer Service: 5.0 Star Icon
  • Website Experience: 3.0 Star Icon
  • Bank Fees: 4.0 Star Icon

Pros:

  • Christmas savings account
  • Business accounts, including nonprofits
  • Business Premium Package
  • Cash Management options for businesses

Cons:

  • Have to open accounts at a branch
  • Interest rates not listed on website
  • Unlimited withdrawals, but only in person
  • Most accounts have high opening deposits

What You Need to Know

Community First Bank offers a special savings account for Christmas. This account only requires $10 to open. You can set up automatic transfers for monthly, twice a month, or weekly. After October 1 of each year, you can withdraw an unlimited amount of times until the last day of December. Withdrawals are only allowed those three months. There is a withdrawal fee if not withdrawn during the designated time.

A variety of different business accounts are available. There are four different checking accounts, including one for a nonprofit. Community First Bank offers savings accounts, money market accounts, and CDs. Loans, credit cards, and retirement accounts are available for business accounts.

You can sign up for the Business Premium Package. This sets you up for a checking account, savings account, and a money market account. You also sign up for two other accounts from ten other options. HSA, credit cards, loans, and cash management all qualify. With the package, you receive 100 free additional transactions from your business checking.

The cash management lets you have different levels of authority on accounts. You decide what employees can see about customer accounts. You can add more users to the accounts. The premium option pays taxes and payroll. Cash management automatically deducts customer fees or payments.

You cannot open accounts online. Some account applications are available to download and send to the local branch. To open checking, savings, money market, CDs, and business accounts you must apply in a local branch. Community First Bank only has branches in Wisconsin.

To know the interest rates on Community First Bank accounts, you must call a local branch. The interest rates are not available on the website. You could earn higher interest rates on CDs by opening certain accounts.

The Community First Bank's money market accounts offer unlimited withdrawals. The withdrawals must be made in person at a local branch. You are only allowed six withdrawals from other methods per billing cycle. Those methods include withdrawals made by ATMs, checks, check cards, and electronic transfers.

The basic accounts have low opening balances. However, to earn the competitive interest rates, there is a high opening balance. The required amounts range from $1,000 to $10,000.

Cool Things

Calculators

Community First Bank offers calculators to help with financial decisions. Learn if you should consolidate loans or refinance. Learn how much to borrow for a car or a home. Learn how much you need to save for retirement.

eNotices

Stay on top of your account activity with eNotices. Receive an email if you do not have enough money to cover a purchase. Sign up to receive an email if your balance drops below a certain amount. Signing up for paperless statements reduces your risk of fraud.

History

Dwight Parker opened First National bank of Boscobel in 1871. During the first years of operation, the bank changed leadership and names. In 1994 the bank officially changed its name to Community First Bank.

In 2016 Community First Bank merged with another state bank. This help to expand their services to different areas of Wisconsin. They currently have eight different branch locations.

Awards and Recognition

  • "Large Business of the Year," by the Sauk County Development Corporation award in 2015

Giving Back

Community First Bank believes in education. Since 1996 they have awarded scholarships to graduating seniors in the Wisconsin area. Several students around the Wisconsin area earn a scholarship in the amount of $500 each.

Employees participated in the 'National Feed My Starving Children Packing Event' in Wisconsin. They gathered and sent healthy food to countries in need. Over 70 countries suffering from hunger received food. This event helped feed 319 children three meals a day for a full year.

Employees helped the Boscobel Police Department earn enough money to buy a K-9. Through the 'Give a Dog a Bone' initiative, customers could buy a paper bone for $1 or more. The bank displayed the paper bones in their branches. The police department used the money to purchase a K-9 and for the care of the animal.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this bank FDIC insured?

Yes. Community First Bank is FDIC insured. The FDIC is an agency of the United States government that protects funds deposited in banks, up to $250,000 per customer, per bank. The money deposited in FDIC insured banks means money is backed by the full faith and credit of the United States government.

How do I access my money?

With debit cards, ATMs, checks, or visiting a local branch. Make online transfers between Community First Bank accounts.

Does this bank offer mobile banking?

Yes. Every Community First Bank account comes with mobile banking. You can check account balances, pay bills, make transfers, and see transaction history.

Is this bank free?

No. Most accounts have a monthly maintenance fee. Waive the fees by keeping a set amount in the accounts at all times. Know the amount required to keep in the account to avoid paying the monthly fee.

Is this a good bank?

The interest rates are not listed online. Community First Bank does offer a good variety of accounts. They have business accounts, personal accounts, and investment accounts. The accounts are only available if you live around the branch locations in Wisconsin.

Is this bank secure online?

Yes. They require passwords and require them to be updated often. They log you out after a set time of inactivity.

Does this bank offer competitive interest rates?

The interest rates are not listed online. You have to call a local branch to get the current interest rates for their accounts.

Can I use this bank for my business accounts?

Yes. Community First Bank offers checking, savings, money market, and CD accounts for businesses. Credit cards, investments, and loans are available for your business too. You can enroll in cash management options to help with your business needs.

How is the online bank different from the online banking my bank offers?

It is not different. Community First Bank online is the same as online banking from typical banks.

Do their checking accounts pay interest?

It is not listed on the website. Call a local branch to find out more.

How do I reach customer service?

By phone, email, or by visiting a local branch.

Does this bank offer bill pay?

Yes. All Community First checking accounts come with online bill pay. You can sign up for reoccurring payments and direct withdrawals.

Can I deposit cash?

Yes, at a local branch.

How long do transfers take?

Deposits made after 4 p.m. will be available the next day. Cash and direct deposits are available the same day.

Can I sign up for direct deposit to this account?

Yes. Direct deposit is free and is available for all checking and savings accounts.

Bank Information

Find a branch near you
608-375-4117

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