Frequently Asked Questions
Acquisition Details
Scott Mitchell will continue to serve as the President and CEO of HAPO following closing of the transaction.
HAPO is headquartered in Richland, WA with more than 209,000 members. Their assets are over $2.38 billion, and they operate 21 branches across Washington and Oregon.
Credit unions are member owned financial cooperatives owned by their members. Banks are for-profit businesses owned by stockholders. Unlike banks, profits at credit unions are returned to members through better rates and lower fees. HAPO is also able to provide additional career opportunities to employees. HAPO’s strength provides the size, resources, and commitment necessary to competitively meet the financial needs of our consumer clients and commercial clients, both now and in the foreseeable future.
We will keep our website updated regularly about the progression of the acquisition. In addition, you will also receive
periodic notices, either through email or the U.S. Postal Service, and you will have access to updates available at all
branch locations. We anticipate sending periodic emails with updates and important notices, so please take this
opportunity to update your email address on file.
A system conversion is the process of transitioning from one system or platform to another, involving data migration, configuration, and testing to ensure functionality.
The legal date, in contrast, refers to the official date when a new system or process is recognized for legal or compliance purposes, often independent of the technical conversion timeline.
The system conversion will take place in the coming months. All of HAPO Community Credit Union, including the Community First Bank branches, will be closed for two days during this process and reopen once the system conversion is complete.
Branch and Staff Changes
HAPO's main address is 601 Williams Blvd, Richland, WA 99354.
There will be no changes to our operating hours.
Yes, CFB branch locations will remain open for business on the date of closing.
Branch signage changes are expected to begin following closing of the acquisition and are expected to be completed upon the conversion of the bank’s data processing systems.
No. We continually monitor the performance of each branch location and the needs of our membership. Following closing of the transaction, HAPO’s Twenty-One (21) current branch locations and CFB’s Five (5) branch locations will remain open.
HAPO is working diligently with the CFB staff and expect that most of the employees will accept our offer of employment.
No, employee emails will not change immediately upon acquisition. It is anticipated that at some point in the future, each of CFB employee will receive a new HAPO employee email address. It is anticipated that each current CFB employee email address will continue to route through to the new HAPO employee email address. If the CFB employee email addresses are terminated, you will be provided with a minimum of thirty (30) days notice before CFB email addresses are terminated.
No, employee phone numbers will not change upon acquisition.
The Community First website will be deactivated the weekend of November 7, 2025 and will redirect to HAPO's website for a period of time following the system conversion.
Community First Bank Member Account Access
Immediately upon acquisition, you will not be able to access your account at HAPO branches. Instead, you should continue to access your account at CFB's branches. HAPO is working to provide access to your account through HAPO's branches as soon as possible. Such access will be available upon conversion of each bank's data processing systems, which may take to the end of 2025 to complete.
HAPO's ATMs and shared ATM network will be free to use upon conversion of each bank's data processing systems, which may take to the end of 2025 to complete. In the meantime, you should continue to access your account using CFB's ATMs and shared ATM network to avoid any ATM surcharges.
You will continue to access your online banking, mobile banking, telephone banking, and bill pay the same as you do today following closing of the acquisition. At some point in the future, CFB’s current online, mobile, telephone banking and bill pay will be converted to HAPO’s similar services. Prior to conversion, you will be provided notice of the termination of CFB’s services and instructions on how to access HAPO’s services.
Yes, it is expected your direct deposit will continue to work without interruption and without specific need for change following closing of the acquisition.
Account Changes & Protections
HAPO’s privacy policy is available
here.
No, your account number will not change as a result of the acquisition. It is possible your account number could change at some point in the future, although no change is currently expected. If a change to your account number is to occur in the future, you will be provided with a minimum of thirty (30) days’ notice.
Yes, HAPO is insured by the NCUA through the NCUSIF (National Credit Union Share Insurance Fund). Your deposits will continue to be federally insured to the maximum amount available – currently to at least $250,000 per account holder per account category and backed by the full faith and credit of the United States Government. Please see the “NCUA and FDIC Insurance Comparison” guide on page 2 for more information.
Yes, you will continue to use your current checks following acquisition. At this point, there is no specific date for which your current checks will not be available for use. If circumstances change such that your current checks will not be available for use, you will be provided with a minimum of thirty (30) days’ notice.
Yes, you will continue to use your current credit card following acquisition. While we do not anticipate any changes after closing, if circumstances change, you will be provided with a minimum of thirty (30) days’ notice.
Yes, you will continue to use your current debit card following acquisition. You’ll receive your new HAPO card before system conversion. Hold onto it until after conversion— then, follow the activation instructions on the sticker attached to your card to set your PIN.
Your rates on existing CFB loans will not change as a result of the acquisition. The rates paid on deposits will not change as a result of the acquisition. Following the acquisition, rates paid on deposits may change based on present market conditions. The timing and extent of such changes is unknown at this point, and subject to future events. Following the acquisition, any service charges and fees related to your account will be charged at HAPO’s charges and fees, rather than CFB’s charges and fees. In general, HAPO’s charges and fees are more favorable and as a HAPO member, you will realize lower charges and reduced fees.
Your account notices and statements will reflect branding updates including the credit union and NCUA logos. While we do not anticipate any other modifications, if circumstances change, you will be provided with a minimum of thirty (30) days’ notice.
Yes—deposits processed at HAPO will display in Online Banking. Deposits made at Community First prior to the conversion will not display in HAPO Online Banking. If you need a copy of a deposit made before the conversion, just reach out to us and we’ll be happy to get it for you.
At Community First Bank, members age 55 and older received free check orders. HAPO does not offer free checks based on age. Standard check order fees will apply once your account is transitioned. If you’d like, our team can walk you through options for keeping costs low, including alternative check styles or using bill pay and electronic payment services.
Membership & Eligibility
HAPO Community Credit Union offers membership to anyone who meets any of the following Eligibility Requirements:
- You or a family member, live, work, worship or attend school in Washington state.
- You or an immediate family member, live or work in the following Oregon counties: Clackamas, Clatsop, Columbia, Gilliam, Hood River, Morrow, Multnomah, Sherman, Umatilla, Union, Wasco or Washington.
- You or an immediate family member, live, work or worship in the following Idaho counties: Boundary, Bonner, Shoshone, Kootenai, Benewah, Lewis, Nez Perce, or Latah.
For business account eligibility requirements specific to Washington, Oregon and Idaho please contact the credit union.
Yes, you are able to opt out as a HAPO member, should you choose not to become a member of HAPO. In order to do so, you must properly close any deposit account or satisfy any loan you may have with CFB prior to the closing of the acquisition. All depositors and borrowers who hold an active deposit account or loan with CFB at the time of closing will become HAPO members.