Town & Country Credit Union has merged with Community 1st Credit Union

posted on Sunday, December 1, 2024 in Announcements

It’s official!  Town & Country Credit Union members have officially merged with Community 1st Credit Union as of December 1, 2024!

Here is our complete list of details and FAQs about the merger. Don’t see the answer you’re looking for?  Click here to send us your question. 

TCCU Merger General FAQs

•  Where can I find up-to-date information regarding the merger?

  We will continue to update this page as we receive more information about the merger. www.c1stcu.com/tccu 

•  What is happening?

  On December 1, 2024, Town and Country Credit Union will merge with Community 1st Credit Union.  Our team has been working diligently to transition our banking systems.  The system conversion will start on Saturday, November 30th.  We anticipate all regular activity will resume on Monday, December 2nd. 

  We know your accounts are incredibly important to you, and we are committed to ensuring our transition is smooth and easy.

•  When will the merger take place?

  Town and Country Credit Union will merge with Community 1st Credit Union on December 1, 2024.

•  When will the system conversion take place?

  The system conversion date will happen on December 1, 2024.

•  How will the conversion affect me?

  The system conversion is scheduled for Thanksgiving weekend. Please ensure you have alternative payment methods, such as cash, credit cards, and checks. While ATMs will remain operational and debit cards can still be used, transaction limits will apply.

  Thanksgiving weekend branch hours for Avoca and Harlan:

  • Wednesday, November 27th: OPEN with normal business hours

  • Thursday, November 28th: CLOSED

  • Friday, November 29th:

  Lobby Hours: 
  Harlan & Avoca: 8:30 am – 12:00 pm (noon)

  Drive-up Hours:
  Harlan: 7:30 am – 5:00 pm
  Avoca: 8:30 am – 5:00 pm

  • Saturday, November 30th: CLOSED

  • Sunday, December 1st: CLOSED

  • Monday, December 2nd: OPEN with normal business hours as Community 1st Credit Union

•  Do I need to do anything to become a member of C1st?

  No. You will automatically become a member on December 1, 2024.

•  Will the Harlan and Avoca branch facilities remain open?

  YES! Both branches will continue to operate as always, only with even more products and services to offer! Also, as a member of C1st, you will have access to 21 additional full-service branches.

•  Will normal business hours be changing for Harlan and Avoca locations?

  No, the hours will remain the same for the Harlan and Avoca locations at this time. 

•  Where are the Community 1st Credit Union branches located?

  www.c1stcu.com/locations

•  When can I begin using the C1st branches?

  TCCU members can begin using the C1st branches on December 2, 2024.

•  How do I contact Community 1st Credit Union?

  We're proud to offer our members many options for personalized services. Please visit www.c1stcu.com/contact-us to connect with a C1st Representative. 

•  How will this merger benefit me?

  • You’ll enjoy more convenient locations. After the merger, Community 1st Credit Union will have 23 branches in 20 communities.

  • Community 1st Credit Union offers a wider range of exciting products and services, including C1st mortgages, robust home equity loans, business and agriculture products, and Investment Services.

  • Community 1st Credit Union offers a more advanced digital banking system, including:

  • Debit CardSwap: A single spot to update your debit card on file wherever you pay. 

  • Skip A Pay: C1st’s digital Skip a Pay feature allows members to skip a monthly payment on a qualifying loan as long as certain program qualifications are met.

  • Apple Watch: Easily view account balances and transactions on your Apple Watch without having to log in!

  • Mobile Deposit: Deposit checks from anywhere, at any time, from your camera-enabled mobile device. 

  • Digital Wallet: Use your C1st debit card with a supported device to make purchases easy.  With a quick tap of your phone, you can use your debit card to pay at over one million merchants. 

  • SavvyMoney: Free, Ongoing Credit Score, Report, and Monitoring

  • Debit Card Services:

  • Turn your card off and on
  • Travel Notifications
  • Report your card as lost, stolen, or compromised due to fraud.

  And much more!

  • BillPay
  • eStatements
  • Apply Online

•  I'm interested in a career at Community 1st Credit Union. How do I apply?

  Whether you are starting your career or searching for professional growth opportunities, C1st might have an opportunity for you.  Join a team that has been recognized as one of the top workplaces in Iowa.  Go to www.c1stcu.com/careers to view open positions & apply online.

•  Will my member number and account numbers change?

  Yes. Your member number, account number(s) and routing number will change.  You will receive a letter with your new numbers.    

•  Where can I find answers to other questions I may have?

  Call us at 866.360.5370, email us at memberservice@c1stcu.com, or stop by your local branch and we’ll be happy to help!

Checking & Debit Card FAQs

•  Will I need a new TCCU debit card?

  Yes, your existing debit card will no longer work after December 1, 2024. You will receive a new C1st Debit Card in the mail by November 22, 2024. Please watch for it, as it may arrive in a plain envelope. While the new card can be activated at any time, transactions will only be permitted starting December 1, 2024. The card will include a phone number for activation. To activate it, make sure you call from the phone number we have on file for you.

•  When will I receive my new debit card?

  Your existing debit card will no longer work after December 1, 2024. You will receive a new C1st Debit Card in the mail by November 22, 2024. Please watch for it, as it may arrive in a plain envelope. While the new card can be activated at any time, transactions will only be permitted starting December 1, 2024. The card will include a phone number for activation. To activate it, make sure you call from the phone number we have on file for you.

•  Will the recurring transactions set up with my TCCU debit card still work?

  Any recurring payments set up on current debit cards must be re-established to include the newly issued debit card information.

•  Will I still be able to use my debit card at the ATMs in TCCU’s Harlan and Avoca locations?

  Yes.  In addition, you will continue to have access to 1,000+ Privileged Status ATMs in Iowa without a surcharge.

•  What should I do with the automatic payments set up to come out of my TCCU checking account? Or direct deposits (i.e. paycheck, pension, Social Security) that go into my TCCU account?

  Your direct deposits/automatic payments will transfer automatically from your Town and Country accounts to Community 1st.  When you receive your 14-digit MICR account letter, please notify the companies and update your information. Please give them your new 14-digit Community 1st Credit Union account and routing number.  Community 1st Credit Union routing number: 273975726. If your employer or depositor needs an official direct deposit document with your new deposit information, we will gladly provide that to you by calling or emailing us. PLEASE NOTE: any automatic payments set up with your new Community 1st Credit Union account/routing numbers before December 1st will be rejected. 

•  Do I need to order new checks?

  After December 1, 2024, please discontinue writing checks from your TCCU checking account and bring them to the Avoca or Harlan locations for shredding. At that time, we’ll order you one FREE box of C1st basic checks. This offer ends on February 1, 2025. Your TCCU checks will continue clearing for 6 months post-conversion. 

•  With my C1st debit card, will I have access to a digital wallet (Apple Pay, Google Pay, Samsung Pay)?

  Yes. You can use your C1st debit card with a supported device to make purchases easily. With a quick tap of your phone, you can use your debit card to pay at over one million merchants. Learn more!

Loan Payments FAQs

•  How will I make my loan payment?

  C1st has several convenient options to make your loan payment:

  Digital Banking:  To make a one-time or recurring loan payment from a C1st account, use our Loan Payment form in C1st digital banking.

  Cross-Member Transfer:  Pay your credit union loans with funds located in a separate C1st membership!  We can set up cross-member transfers in digital banking.

  Payroll Deduction:  Have your payments automatically deducted from your direct deposit.

  ACH Debit Payment:  Set up preauthorized monthly payments from your account at another financial institution.

  One-Time Payment:  To make a one-time payment from another financial institution or credit card*, visit our Online Payment Center. There is an $8 convenience fee to use this service. This service is currently not available to pay a C1st Mortgage or C1st Credit Card.  Does not include Visa credit cards.  Cards that are available for payments include Visa debit cards, Mastercard credit and debit cards, and Discover cards.

  Visit a Branch: Stop by any of the Community 1st Credit Union branches on or after December 2nd and make a loan payment.

  Send a payment to the following address:

  Community 1st Credit Union
  P.O. Box 737
  Ottumwa, IA 52501

Digital Banking FAQs

•  What can I do to prepare for the merger?

  If you use online banking and/or bill pay, we suggest completing the following items to prepare for the merger:

  • Download your 2024 statements for quick reference
  • Download a copy of your bill pay payees
  • Download a copy of all current and future scheduled payments for your records.
•  Will I have to set up a new Login ID/Password for digital banking?

  Yes, on or after December 1, you will create a new Login ID/Password. Please contact C1st at 866.360.5370 or email memberservice@c1stcu.com, and a C1st Representative will assist you.

•  Will I have access to a mobile app?

  Yes, getting started is easy. Simply download the new app by searching “Community 1st CU” in the app store on or after December 1. Our app offers many services, including Apple Watch, Text Banking, Mobile Deposit, Loan Payments, Pay a Member (C1st Accounts), BillPayer, Statements, and more!

•  Will I have access to my current Bill Pay information?

  No. Unfortunately, your payees and history will not carry over to our online BillPayer system. You should download your payee information and history through bill pay before the merger weekend.  

•  How do I enroll in the new BillPayer system on or after December 1?

  After setting up a new Login ID/Password for digital banking, click ‘Manage Money,’ then select ‘Pay Bills.’

•  When will my access to TCCU’s online/mobile banking be disabled?

  TCCU’s online/mobile banking will be permanently disabled on Friday, November 29th , at 5:00 PM.  On Sunday, December 1st, you can create a new login ID/password for Community 1st Credit Union’s Digital Banking.  

  • Go to c1stcu.com
  • Select “Login” at the top right wide of the page
  • Select “New User” link
  • Follow the steps to set up digital banking 

Credit Card FAQs

•  Will I need a new TCCU credit card?

  Yes, existing TCCU credit cards will not work on or after December 17, 2024.  You will be issued a new C1st Credit Card that will arrive in the mail in December.  Please keep an eye out for it, as these are often mailed in plain envelopes. The new credit cards need to be activated on or after December 17, 2024.

•  When will I receive my new credit card?

  You will be issued a new C1st credit card, which will arrive in the mail in December. Please wait to activate the card until December 17, 2024, or after.  

•  Will my current credit card with TCCU change?

  Yes, your credit card account terms will change effective December 17, 2024. The new terms were mailed to cardholders at the end of October.

•  When can I activate my new C1st credit card?

  The new C1st credit cards are to be activated on or after December 17, 2024.  The new credit cards will include a phone number where you can call and activate the card.

•  Will the terms of my TCCU credit card change?

  Yes.  The new terms were mailed to cardholders at the end of October. 

•  Will the rate change with my new C1st credit card?

  Yes, transactions made on or after December 17, 2024 will be subject to the C1st credit card rate and terms. For more details, please refer to the terms sent to cardholders in late October.  Outstanding balances from the TCCU credit card will transfer to the new C1st credit card on December 17.  If you have a balance, those will be transferred at your current rate. 

•  Will my monthly payment due date change?

  Yes.  Your monthly payment with your new C1st credit card will be due the 15th of the month. 

•  How do I make a credit card payment after December 17, 2024?

  C1st has several convenient options to make your credit card payment:

  Digital Banking:  To make a one-time or recurring credit card payment, log into C1st digital banking and select “My Cards” from menu, then “Credit Card.”  From there, you can select payment options.    

  Visit a Branch: Stop by any of the Community 1st Credit Union branches on or after December 2nd and make a credit card payment.

  Mail a payment to the following address:

  Community 1st Credit Union
  P.O. Box 37035
  Boone, IA 50037-0035

•  Will authorized users be transferred to the C1st credit card?

  Yes.  Authorized users will be transferred to the C1st credit card.  

•  Will my TCCU credit card balance transfer automatically to the C1st credit card?

  Yes, your balance will be automatically transferred to the new C1st credit card on December 17, and these transferred balances will keep your current rate. 

•  What if I don’t want to switch to the C1st credit card?

  If you do not want to accept the new credit card terms, you have the right to reject the changes unless you become more than 60 days late on your account.  However, if you do reject the changes, you will not be able to use your account for new transactions.  You can reject the changes by calling us at 866.360.5370.

•   Will recurring transactions set up with my TCCU credit card still work?

  Any recurring transactions set up on your TCCU credit card must be updated with your new credit card information on or after December 17, 2024. 

•  Will I need to re-enroll automatic payments set up with my TCCU credit card?

  Yes, you will need to sign up for AutoPay in digital banking on or after December 17, 2024. 

•  With my new C1st credit card, will I have access to a digital wallet (Apple Pay, Google Pay, Samsung Pay)?

  Yes. You can use your C1st credit card with a supported device to make purchases easily. With a quick tap of your phone, you can use your credit card to pay at over one million merchants.

•  How can I prepare for the upcoming credit card changes?
  • Download your 2024 credit card statements for quick reference 
  • Download a copy of all current and future scheduled transactions/payments for your records
•  When will my first payment be due for my new C1st credit card?

  Your first payment will be due on January 15, 2025. 

This page will be updated periodically with important details and FAQ's regarding the merger process.  Please check back soon for more information.