Vocality Community Credit Union Merger

On behalf of the Board of Directors of Vocality Community Credit Union, the Merging Credit Union, I am pleased to share very exciting news. We have received regulatory approval to complete a merger with Community First Credit Union, the Continuing Credit Union. Please see the enclosed Notice of Special Meeting of the Members of Vocality Community Credit Union for important information about the merger, the reasons for the merger, the benefits you’ll receive as a member, and voting instructions.

Just as our members have encountered dramatic changes in the local economic environment over the past several years, Vocality Community Credit Union has experienced the same challenges; coupled with evolving and expanding financial, operating, and regulatory pressures. The combination of these factors has resulted in insurmountable obstacles to the long-term sustainability of the credit union and local service options for our membership. Our members and our local communities have been the focus of the organization since its inception. Accordingly, the Board of Directors has identified Community First Credit Union as the best local option for a merger partner that shares our passion for providing local banking services from a trusted local community credit union cooperative. The continuing viability of our Garberville location would be jeopardized without a partner who shares our commitment to trusted local staff continuing to serve our members and local communities.

Unlike bank mergers that are designed to benefit shareholders, this merger is for the benefit of you, our member. Vocality and Community First share closely aligned values with respect to members, staff, culture, and a tradition of giving back to our local communities. Together, the two organizations will leverage their combined capabilities to enhance the products and services available for its members.

Vocality Community Credit Union’s Board of Directors, management team, and staff strongly endorse and recommend this merger. Your vote as a member is very important. The merger must have the approval of a majority of the members voting to be finalized. There will be a special meeting to consider the merger proposal on March 12, 2025 at 6:00 p.m. at Mateel Community Center, 59 Rusk Lane, Redway, CA 95560.

If you cannot attend the meeting to personally deliver your ballot, you can vote online now by selecting the Vote Now button below or download the ballot and return it to the third-party auditing firm, CUBallot-E Space Communications PO Box 3156 Dublin, Ohio 43016, no later than March 12, 2025 at 6:00 p.m.

To be counted, your ballot must reach us by the date and time announced for the meeting.

We greatly appreciate your membership and thank you in advance for your support and “yes” vote to keep your credit union services available to you and your friends and neighbors in our local communities.