Community First Credit Union absorbs Health Care Professionals Federal Credit Union

Community First Credit Union announced an agreement Tuesday to absorb a small Napa credit union that serves health care workers.

If members of the Health Care Professionals Federal Credit Union in Napa approve the merger, the Santa Rosa credit union will expand its membership by 8.9 percent and increase its assets by 3.5 percent.

Community First has five retail offices in Sonoma County. The sole Health Care Professionals branch will remain at its location in Napa, but will be rebranded as Community First.

The merger, which also must be approved by regulators, is expected to be completed by Dec. 1.

Founded in 1961 to serve employees of Sonoma County schools, Community First Credit Union has 13,766 members and $143.1 million in assets.

Health Care Professionals Federal Credit Union was founded in 1967 to serve employees of Queen of the Valley Hospital and affiliated doctors' offices. It now has 1,232 members and $5.5 million in assets.