Question 1

What is Community First Bank - Forest?

Accepted Answer

Community First Bank - Forest is a community-focused national bank headquartered in the rural village of Forest, Ohio. With approximately $58 million in total assets, the bank operates three full-service branches serving customers in Hardin, Wyandot, and surrounding counties in northwestern Ohio. As a wholly owned subsidiary of Community First BancShares, Inc., the bank specializes in residential real estate lending while providing comprehensive personal and business banking services to individuals, families, farmers, and small businesses in its primarily rural and agricultural market area.

Question 2

When was Community First Bank - Forest founded?

Accepted Answer

While the exact founding date of Community First Bank - Forest is not extensively documented in readily available public sources, the institution has been serving the Forest, Ohio community and surrounding areas for many years. The bank operates under a national bank charter issued by the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) and has established itself as a trusted financial institution in northwestern Ohio's rural communities.

Question 3

Where is Community First Bank - Forest headquartered?

Accepted Answer

Community First Bank - Forest is headquartered at 118 East Lima Street in Forest, Ohio. Forest is a small village in Hardin County, located approximately 70 miles northwest of Columbus in the northwestern part of the state. The community is situated in a primarily agricultural region of Ohio.

Question 4

Where does Community First Bank - Forest operate?

Accepted Answer

Community First Bank operates three full-service branch locations in northwestern Ohio. The main office is in Forest (Hardin County), with additional branches in Kenton (Hardin County) and Upper Sandusky (Wyandot County). The bank's assessment area includes the contiguous counties of Hardin and Wyandot, serving a primarily rural region with a strong agricultural focus. In addition to in-branch ATMs at all three offices, the bank maintains three off-premise ATM locations throughout its service area, providing convenient access to cash and basic banking services for customers across the region.

Question 5

What services does Community First Bank - Forest offer?

Accepted Answer

Community First Bank - Forest provides a comprehensive range of personal and business banking products. Personal banking services include free checking accounts, savings accounts, money market accounts, and certificates of deposit. The bank specializes in residential real estate lending, which represents approximately 55.5% of its loan portfolio, offering mortgage loans for home purchases, refinancing, and construction projects.

Agricultural lending is a significant focus, with farmland and agriculture loans accounting for 22% of the bank's portfolio, providing operating loans, equipment financing, and farm real estate mortgages. Commercial and industrial loans (9.6% of portfolio) and consumer loans (6.6% of portfolio) round out the lending services. Business banking includes commercial checking accounts, business savings products, and cash management solutions. The bank offers digital banking services through its online platform at www.com1stbank.com, including internet banking, mobile banking, bill pay, and electronic statements, providing customers with 24/7 account access.

Question 6

What makes Community First Bank - Forest unique?

Accepted Answer

Community First Bank - Forest distinguishes itself through its strong specialization in residential real estate lending combined with deep expertise in agricultural banking. This dual focus reflects the bank's understanding of its rural market, where homeownership and farming operations are central to the local economy. The bank's residential real estate loans comprise over half of its total lending portfolio, demonstrating significant commitment to helping families achieve homeownership in northwestern Ohio.

The bank's commitment to the Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) has been recognized through satisfactory ratings, reflecting its dedication to meeting the credit needs of its entire community, including low- and moderate-income neighborhoods. Community contacts in the bank's assessment area have consistently praised local institutions, including Community First Bank, for meeting community credit needs effectively. The bank's small size and local ownership structure enable personalized service and decision-making that considers the unique circumstances of rural customers, particularly in agricultural lending where seasonal income patterns require specialized understanding.

Question 7

What type of financial institution is Community First Bank - Forest?

Accepted Answer

Community First Bank - Forest is a national bank chartered and regulated by the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) and insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) under Certificate #6584. As a national bank, the institution operates under federal banking regulations and supervision, which allows it to conduct banking activities across state lines if desired while maintaining its community banking focus. The bank operates as a subsidiary of Community First BancShares, Inc., a one-bank holding company, providing the stability and resources of a holding company structure while maintaining the flexibility and customer focus characteristic of community banking institutions serving rural America.

Community First Bank - Forest

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About Community First Bank - Forest in the United States