Best Local Checking Accounts in the North Bay

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Checking that checks all the right boxes

Our accounts offer high yields, minimal fees, and a generous heaping of perks that'll make you wonder why you ever settled for less.

Get more with Community First

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Get paid up to two days early** with Early Pay!
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Free first box of Bank Local checks***
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Discounts at local businesses
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30,000+ fee-free ATMs
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5,600+ shared branches
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Better rates than the big banks
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Instant issue debit cards
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Who we serve

Our banking services aren't just limited to sellers. Any Cannabis-Related Business can bank with us, including:

  • Cultivators
  • Manufacturers
  • Retailers
  • Labs
  • Distributors
  • Microbusinesses
  • Event Organizers

The Requirements

Business or Entity

Cannabis accounts are available to DCC-licensed entities or businesses that provide services to cannabis-licensed entities.

Due Diligence

Businesses and individuals are required to submit a due diligence package for initial account review and approval

Fees

Accounts are subject to monthly account fees.

Location

Businesses must be located within our seven-county footprint: Sonoma, Marin, Napa, Mendocino, Humboldt, Trinity, and Lake.

Ready to get started?

Reach us at 707.546.6000 ext. 7878, email cannabisbankinggroup@comfirstcu.org, or apply below!
Apply Now

See what our cannabis members are saying

About Community First Courtesy Pay

Courtesy Pay allows CFCU to pay a transaction for you, even if your available balance is not enough to cover the cost.

  • Members are automatically enrolled in Courtesy Pay for personal checking account overdrafts caused by checks, automatic bill payments, digital and mobile banking payments, and recurring payments using your debit card.
  • You can also opt into Courtesy Pay coverage for ATMs and everyday debit card transactions! Without this, these transactions will be declined and you may be charged an Non-Sufficient Funds Fee
  • Fees for ATM and debit card coverage are not assessed if your balance is sufficient to pay the transaction when we receive it, even if your end-of-day balance is negative.
  • There is a maximum of 5 Courtesy Pay and/or Non-Sufficient Funds fees per day.
  • $14 fee for each Courtesy Pay Transaction
  • $14 Non-Sufficient Funds Fee
Important: The information provided above is only a summary and does not reflect our entire agreement or all of your rights and obligations with regard to your accounts. Please see our Disclosures Page to view information on our Account Agreement, NSF fees, Overdraft fees, NSF/Overdraft Protection, and our Funds Availability Policy.

Go Local Rewards

Shop Local and Score Big

As one of the founding members of the Sonoma County GO LOCAL Cooperative, we're all about showing some love to locally owned businesses.

One of the perks of being a Community First member isGo Local Rewards. Get automatic discounts and rewards at a wide range of local businesses just by showing your debit card.
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See Participating Businesses

Checking Accounts

account TYPE
Monthly fee
PERks
Minimum opening balance
Interest earned
overdraft protection
Basic-Local Advantage
$0
  • Completely free checking!
  • No minimum balance
$0
No
Yes
High earning- Local Advantage Plus
$5
  • Earn 5% on rounded-up portion of all purchases
  • Earn 5¢/swipe after 12 swipes
  • No monthly fee with 12 monthly debit transactions
  • Free first box of bank local checks
$0
.20% APY* on balance
Yes
High balances-Local iChecking
$6
  • No monthly fee with a $1000 balance

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$1,000
.05% APY* with $1,000 balance
Yes
Effective:
Best For
Account
Monthly Fee
Perks
Minimum Opening Balance
Sole Proprietors
Local Trade Checking
$10
  • No monthly fee with average daily balance of $2500
$0
Interest Earners
Local Trade Interest
$15
  • Earn .05%* APY on your balance
  • No monthly fee with average daily balance of $5000
$0
Non-profits
Local Non-profit
$0
  • Free Account!
$0
Effective:

Ready to Open an Account or Have Some Questions?

Give us a call or head to your nearest local branch to get started.
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Second Chance Checking

Looking for a fresh start?

Our Second Chance account is designed for those who want to build or rebuild their credit or banking history. Get back on track with low fees, no minimum balance, and the chance to upgrade to a traditional checking account after 12 months.

Contact Us
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Local on the go

Manage your cards, deposit checks, transfer funds, and check your balance—all from the palm of your hand.
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Disclosures
*Annual Percentage Yield assumes dividends will remain in account until maturity. Withdrawals before maturity will reduce earnings. Fees and other charges will reduce earnings
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**Early Pay is a courtesy service provided by Community First Credit Union (CFCU) as a benefit to our members. There is no fee for this service. Early Pay allows you to receive payroll and other electronic deposits up to two business days ahead of your scheduled payday. Early Pay is dependent on the payor's payment instructions. As a result, you may not always receive the direct deposits early. It is important to note, funds are not AVAILABLE for you to spend until they are reflected in the AVAILABLE BALANCE. Please confirm available funds before withdrawing against the deposit. CFCU does not guarantee the early availability of any direct deposit. Standard fraud prevention restrictions apply. We reserve the right to cancel the service at any time and without notice to you. Please see our CFCU Early Pay Disclosure for details.

***Free first box of Bank Local checks with Local Advantage PLUS Checking only.
Disclosures
*Annual Percentage Yield assumes dividends will remain in account until maturity. Withdrawals before maturity will reduce earnings. Fees and other charges will reduce earnings.

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