1300 13 22 77
Important Information Illawarra Credit Union is becoming Community First Bank
From 1 April 2026, the Illawarra Credit Union brand will transition to Community First Bank – this is final step in our member-approved merger.
Our brand, built on what you know
Following last year’s member-approved merger between Illawarra Credit Union and Community First Bank, we are now completing the final stage of that journey. From 1 April 2026, the Illawarra Credit Union brand will be formally retired and we will operate under one unified brand – Community First Bank.
While our name is changing, our legacy of trust, community values and member-first service remains central to who we are.
- We remain a customer-owner mutual bank – one member, one vote
- Your Wollongong store and local team remain
- Account number/s and the BSB number – 512 170 – remain the same
- Your member protections remain, including coverage under the Financial Claimers Schme
- Existing card numbers won’t change, though new, renewed or re-issued cards will switch to Community First branding
From 1 April 2026, some things will change
- From 1 April 2026, illawarracu.com.au will be redirected to communityfirst.com.au. If you have the address bookmarked, this will be automatically be redirected to the CFB page. If you not automatically re-directed, you may need to clear your cache / browser history.
- The Illawarra Credit Union phone number will no longer work. Please call us on 1300 13 22 77. Contact centre operating hours stay the same
- Please email us at askus@communityfirst.com.au
Why are we making this change?
With around 80,000 members across Australia and an expanded store footprint across greater Sydney and the Illawarra, you are now part of a stronger mutual bank, well placed to meet your banking needs today and into the future.
The retirement of the Illawarra Credit Union brand is a planned and important step in the merger strategy members endorsed. Importantly, our structure remains unchanged — we are a customer-owned mutual bank focused on delivering long-term benefit to members, not shareholders.
Operating under one unified brand allows us to:
- Reduce duplication across systems and operations
- Work more efficiently as one organisation
- Strengthen our financial position
- Reinvest more into secure technology and digital capability
- Deliver competitive products and improved member experiences
- Build a stronger, more sustainable mutual bank for the future
This is an evolution — not a departure from who we are. It is the final step in delivering the stronger, unified community bank our members voted for.
“I’m incredibly proud of the Illawarra Credit Union legacy, supporting the Illawarra community since 1972. Under the Community First Bank name, that local commitment continues — with the same people, the same care, and ongoing partnerships with our local community partners. This transition reflects the strategy our members endorsed — strengthening our organisation so we can continue serving this region for generations to come.”
Anthony Perkiss – CEO
Frequently asked questions
This change completes the merger between Illawarra Credit Union and Community First Bank which was approved at a special annual general meeting in late 2024. This is not an end, but the next step in the strategy our members voted to support. Uniting under one brand reduces duplication and costs, strengthens our capital position, and allows greater investment in better products, technology and member service. By coming together as one stronger mutual bank, we build on that foundation to deliver long-term.
The Illawarra Credit Union brand will be retired by the end of March 2026. From 1 April 2026, all services will operate under Community First Bank. Please note that you may notice some changes occur during the month of March.
No action is required however it is important to be aware of this change because anywhere you currently see Illawarra Credit Union branding will transition to the Community First Bank brand by 1 April 2026. This includes mobile banking, communications, community partnerships and our Wollongong store. Some of these changes will begin to happen during March. From 1 April 2026, some key details will change: illawarracu.com.au will be redirected to communityfirst.com.au Call 1300 22 77 Email askus@communityfirst.com.au
Your account numbers and card numbers will not change. You should only be using the Community First BSB number 512-170. From 1 April 2026, any new, replacement or re-issued cards will be issued as Community First branded cards.
Yes. In the unlikely event that a bank, Building Society or Credit Union becomes insolvent, the Australian Government may activate the Financial Claims Scheme, which enables quick access to deposits that are protected under the Scheme. The Scheme is also referred to as the Australian Government Guarantee on Deposits. Under the Scheme, certain deposits are protected up to a limit of $250,000 for each account-holder at any bank, Building Society or Credit Union that is authorised by the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA). These institutions are known as authorised deposit-taking institutions (ADIs). The Scheme limit of $250,000 applies to the sum of an account holder’s deposits under the one banking licence. This includes accounts with any other banking business that the licenced banking institution may operate under a different trading name. Community First Credit Union Limited operates the brands Illawarra Credit Union, Community First Bank and Easy Street Financial Services. For the purpose of the Scheme, all deposits held under the different brands are added together to determine the Scheme entitlement for an account holder. For more information refer to www.fcs.gov.au.