Community Star Credit Union

What Community Star Credit Union does

Community Star Credit Union (CommStar) is a not-for-profit, member-owned cooperative financial institution headquartered in Elyria, Ohio, operating since 1938 under the original name B-W Employees Federal Credit Union. Following a 2001 rebrand, the credit union expanded its field of membership in 2021 to include anyone who lives, works, worships, or attends school in Lorain, Cuyahoga, Erie, or Huron Counties. It operates three physical branches (Elyria headquarters, Lorain, and Avon Lake with Video Teller technology) and serves consumer, small business, and SBA mid-market segments. CommStar is the only credit union offering business lending in Lorain County.

The institution's product portfolio spans Kasasa-branded rewards checking (up to 4.00% APY and 4% cash back), traditional checking tiers including Fresh Start second-chance banking, savings and money market accounts, share certificates, IRAs, consumer and business credit/debit cards (Visa Rewards, Visa Secured, MasterCard), and a full lending suite covering auto/boat/RV, mortgage and home equity, personal, signature, share-secured, and student loans (via Sallie Mae and ISL Education Lending partnerships), plus SBA 7(a), 504, Express, and PPP loans. Digital infrastructure includes the It's Me 247 online banking platform, CommStar Mobile App with SnapCash remote deposit capture, Pay Anyone P2P payments, Instant Deposit early-pay, biometric authentication, four digital wallet integrations, and access to the Co-op Shared Branching network (5,000+ shared branches, 30,000+ fee-free ATMs). Value-added services are delivered through partnerships with GreenPath (financial wellness), SCORE Cleveland and SBDC at LCCC (business mentoring), TruStage (insurance), Legal Karma (estate planning, 2025), Enterprise Car Sales (vehicle purchasing), and CUNA Mutual Group.

CommStar's revenue model is the standard credit union model: net interest income from consumer and business lending, plus transaction-based fee income (ATM out-of-network, loan origination, NSF, wire, paper statement fees). As a cooperative, earnings are returned to members through higher deposit dividends and lower loan rates. Distribution is omnichannel but regionally concentrated: physical branches in Lorain County complemented by Co-op Shared Branching network access, full self-serve digital onboarding and loan applications, and referral-driven member acquisition (up to $500 in referral rewards). Deposit insurance is provided by American Share Insurance with Excess Share Insurance backing, giving up to $500,000 in coverage rather than the standard federal NCUA insurance.

Name

Community Star Credit Union

Legal name

Community Star Credit Union

Website

https://commstar.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1938

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Community Star Credit Union is a not-for-profit, member-owned cooperative bank chartered in 1938, headquartered in Elyria, Ohio, serving consumers, small businesses, and SBA borrowers across Lorain, Cuyahoga, Erie, and Huron Counties through three branches and full digital banking.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Retail Banking (Credit Union)

NAICS

Credit Unions (52213), Consumer Lending (522291), Commercial Banking (52211)

SIC

Personal Credit Institutions (6141), State Commercial Banks (6022)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYFSABAEAA

Community Credit Unions (Retail/Consumer Focus)

Financial & Insurance/Banking (Commerical, Retail & Consumer)/Community & Cooperative Banking (Credit Unions, Mutuals)

SECONDARYFSAKAAAL

Bank & Credit Union Personal Loans (Unsecured Installment)

Financial & Insurance/Lending & Consumer Finance/Personal Loans (Unsecured Installment)

Keywords

• Consumer banking services
• Small business lending
• Credit union savings
• Mortgage lending
• Digital banking

Headquarters

HQ city

Elyria

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Interest Income from Lending: CommStar generates revenue primarily through interest earned on loans including auto loans, mortgages, home equity loans, business loans, SBA loans, personal loans, and credit cards. Rates vary by product type and creditworthiness.
2. Fee Income: Various fee-based services including ATM fees for out-of-network usage, loan origination and processing fees, insufficient funds fees, wire transfer fees, and paper statement fees for those not enrolled in eStatements.
3. Share Account Services: Revenue from providing share savings, checking, money market, and certificate accounts to members. As a not-for-profit credit union, remaining earnings are returned to members through higher dividends and lower loan rates.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Community Star Credit Union is a not-for-profit, member-owned financial cooperative that provides consumer and small-business deposit accounts (rewards and standard checking, share savings, money market, certificates, IRAs, HSAs), credit cards (Visa Rewards, Visa Secured, MasterCard debit), and a broad lending portfolio covering auto/motorcycle/boat/RV, mortgage and home equity, personal, share-secured, student, and SBA and other business loans. Distribution combines three Ohio branches, interactive Video Teller kiosks, full online and mobile banking with remote deposit and P2P payments, and Co-op Shared Branching access to 5,000+ shared branches and 30,000+ fee-free ATMs nationally.

Product overview

Community Star Credit Union (CommStar) operates as a not-for-profit, member-owned financial institution established in 1938, offering a comprehensive suite of banking and lending products through multiple delivery channels. The core product portfolio spans consumer and business checking accounts (including Kasasa reward products like Cash Rewards Checking earning up to 4.00% APY and Cash Back Checking offering 4% cash back), savings accounts (Share Savings, Money Market, IRAs, Certificates, and Youth accounts), credit cards (Visa Rewards and Secured cards with ScoreCard Rewards, plus debit MasterCards), and diverse lending options including auto/motorcycle loans, mortgages, home equity products, personal loans, student loans (via Sallie Mae and ISL partnerships), and business loans (including SBA products). E-services include It’s Me 247 online banking, CommStar Mobile App with SnapCash remote deposit capture, digital wallet support (Apple Pay, Google Pay, Samsung Pay, Garmin Pay), Video Teller services, and Co-op Shared Branching access. Value-added partnerships provide estate planning (Legal Karma), financial wellness counseling (GreenPath), business mentoring (SCORE, SBDC), and insurance products (TruStage). The institution is not federally insured; deposits are insured by American Share Insurance up to $250,000 with Excess Share Insurance providing up to an additional $250,000 through members’ choice.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• SCORE Cleveland Partnership: Partnership with SCORE Cleveland to offer free mentoring services to existing and potential business customers.
• Small Business Development Center at LCCC Partnership
• Legal Karma through CommStar Credit Union
• GreenPath Financial Wellness

Products and services

• Cash Rewards Checking Free rewards checking account that pays up to 4.00% APY on balances up to $25,000 when members meet monthly qualifications including 12 signature-based debit card purchases, a $60 aggregate minimum, and online banking login. For consumer members.
• Cash Back Checking Free checking account paying 4% cash back on up to $225 of debit card purchases monthly ($9 maximum) when members meet monthly qualifications. For consumer members.
• Vintage Checking Traditional non-rewards checking account offering standard dividend, debit card, online banking, optional eStatements, ID Protect identity theft protection, and up to 7 fee-free foreign ATM transactions for $4 per month. For consumer members.
• Fresh Start Checking Second-chance checking account for members who have had difficulty maintaining accounts elsewhere; includes debit card, eStatements, online/mobile banking, SnapCash RDC, and access to financial counseling, with the ability to transition to standard accounts after 12 months in good standing.
• Launch Teen Checking Checking account for teens with debit card, online and mobile banking, SnapCash Remote Deposit Capture, free coin machines, and no monthly fees. Requires joint owner for account holders under 18.
• Share Savings Basic savings account with tiered dividends based on balance; minimum $5 to open. Standard consumer share account at the credit union.
• Star Money Market Tiered money market savings account paying APYs from 1.75% on balances of $2,500-$24,999 up to 2.20% APY on balances of $250,000 or more.
• Certificates of Deposit Fixed-rate share certificates with terms from 90 days to 60 months at APYs from 3.25% to 3.70%; minimum deposit of $500; 11-37 month specials offered at enhanced rates.
• Individual Retirement Account (IRA) Retirement savings with Traditional and Roth options. Certificate IRA offers fixed rates on 18-60 month terms with $500 minimum; Accumulation IRA offers variable rates with flexible ongoing deposits. No fees.
• Health Savings Account (HSA) Tax-advantaged medical savings account for individuals enrolled in High Deductible Health Plans, including HSA MasterCard Debit Card and 24/7 access via It's Me 247 Online Banking.
• Saver Account Free add-on savings account linked to Cash Rewards Checking or Cash Back Checking that automatically sweeps rewards into savings, earning up to 1.00% APY on balances up to $40,000 when linked checking qualifications are met.
• Visa Rewards Credit Card Credit card with ScoreCard Rewards points on every purchase, 0% APR on purchases and balance transfers for 6 months, limits from $500 to $15,000, and online account management via EzCardInfo.
• Visa Secured Credit Card Secured credit card for establishing or rebuilding credit history; minimum $500 deposit establishes an equivalent credit line.
• Auto and Motorcycle Loans Vehicle financing for new and used cars, trucks, motorcycles, boats, RVs, and powersports; terms up to 96 months, financing up to 120% LTV, rates as low as 5.49% APR, with GAP and credit protection available.
• Mortgages and Construction Loans Comprehensive mortgage products including conventional (up to 97% LTV), FHA, VA, USDA, renovation, construction, refinance, reverse mortgages, and investment property loans.
• Home Equity Line of Credit (HELOC) Variable-rate home equity line of credit with a 5-year draw period and 10-year repayment phase; interest-only payments during draw period; financing up to 100% LTV.
• Home Equity Loans Fixed-rate closed-end home equity loans with terms of 5, 10, or 15 years and interest-only option, available up to 100% of home value.
• Signature Loans Fixed-rate unsecured personal loans with no collateral required. Rates as low as 9.39% APR. Image hosted at commstar.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/signature_loans.png.
• Home Improvement Loans Fixed-rate loans up to $25,000 for home improvements including kitchen/bath remodels, flooring, roofing, landscaping, and basement finishing.
• Share Secured Loans Loans secured by existing savings, used for building or rebuilding credit history. No dollar or time limits; savings remain on deposit while the loan amortizes.
• Business Loans Comprehensive small-business lending including SBA 7(a) and SBA 504 loans, Express 48 loans ($48,000 with 48-hour approval), commercial real estate, equipment loans, fleet loans, and lines of credit. CommStar is the only credit union offering business lending in Lorain County.
• Star Biz Checking and Business Savings Suite Star Biz Checking, Star Biz Checking Plus, Star Biz Savings, Star Biz Money Market, Star Biz Health Savings Account, plus Business MasterCard Debit and Business HSA MasterCard Debit cards. Combined offerings for small-business deposit, savings, HSA, and money-market needs.
• Student Loans Private student loans via partnerships with Sallie Mae (Smart Option Student Loan) and ISL Education Lending, covering undergraduate, graduate, and parent loans plus refinancing. Multiple repayment options, no origination fees, no prepayment penalties.
• GreenPath Financial Wellness Financial counseling partnership offering free one-on-one counseling, debt management plans, housing services, student loan counseling, credit report reviews, and GreenPath University online courses for members.
• Legal Karma Estate Planning Online estate planning service offering Will Package, Trust Package, and Power of Attorney Package with member-discounted rates and a guided step-by-step process with expert support in English and Spanish.

Quantifiable outcome

• Up to 4.00% APY on Cash Rewards Checking balances up to $25,000
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration21 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• GreenPath Financial WellnesscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommStar partnered with GreenPath to provide members with comprehensive financial counseling services including free one-on-one counseling, debt management plans, housing services, student loan counseling, and credit report reviews. GreenPath is a national nonprofit focused on financial wellness with nearly 60 years of experience.
• SCORE ClevelandcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with SCORE Cleveland to offer free, confidential mentoring to help members start or grow their business. SCORE provides over 80 mentors from various business disciplines plus workshops for business development and networking.
• Small Business Development Center at Lorain County Community CollegecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProud partner with the SBDC at LCCC, part of the Ohio SBDC network providing assistance in access to capital, business plan development, marketing research, government contracting, and strategic planning for entrepreneurs at all stages.
• CUNA Mutual GroupminorGTM or Marketing PartnerJoint marketing agreement with CUNA Mutual Group to market insurance products to members as part of joint marketing efforts between nonaffiliated financial companies.
• American Share InsurancecoreOthersPrimary deposit insurance provider insuring member accounts up to $250,000 per account. CommStar offers up to $500,000 in coverage by combining ASI with Excess Share Insurance Corporation.
• Excess Share Insurance CorporationcoreOthersProvides additional deposit insurance coverage up to $250,000 per account beyond the base American Share Insurance coverage, bringing total potential coverage to $500,000 per account.
• Sallie MaeminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSmart Option Student Loan partnership providing competitive higher education loans for undergraduates, graduate students, and parents through Sallie Mae Bank. No origination fees or prepayment penalties. CommStar receives compensation for referrals.
• ISL Education LendingminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartnership with ISL Education Lending, a nonprofit organization, to offer private student loans and refinance options. CommStar receives compensation for referrals of student loan customers.
• Enterprise Car SalesminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartnership offering CommStar members better deals, lower rates, and great incentives when buying pre-owned vehicles from Enterprise Car Sales. New promotions and offers available monthly.
• TruStageminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartnership with TruStage for insurance products including accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D) coverage, credit insurance, and auto insurance discounts available to members.
• Co-op Shared BranchingcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPart of the second largest network of branches and fee-free ATMs in the country. Provides CommStar members with access to over 5,000 shared branches and 30,000 fee-free ATMs nationwide. Free service for members.
• Legal KarmaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerEstate planning services partnership offering CommStar members discounted rates on will packages, trust packages, and power of attorney packages. Services include online process, expert support, and flexible payment options including interest-free installments.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Clearview Federal Credit Union: Pennsylvania-based community credit union of comparable scale, offering full consumer, mortgage, and small business products with Kasasa-style rewards checking. Comparable operating model, technology stack, and member-owned value proposition to CommStar.
• Firelands Federal Credit Union: Community credit union headquartered in Bellevue, Ohio, serving the greater Sandusky/Northern Ohio region. Comparable geographic and demographic profile, similar full-service consumer and business lending model, and overlapping membership base on the western edge of CommStar's FOM.
• CME Federal Credit Union: Ohio-based community credit union serving multiple counties with consumer and business banking products. Closely comparable to CommStar in scale, member-owned structure, community-focused positioning, and product breadth including SBA-style small business lending.
• Erie Community Credit Union: Community credit union serving the Erie County, Ohio market — directly within CommStar's expanded field of membership. Comparable in scale and member demographic, and a primary head-to-head competitor for consumer and small business relationships in the shared geography.

Broad incumbents

• SchoolsFirst Federal Credit Union: One of the largest U.S. credit unions, originating from an employee/affinity base and now serving a broad community with full banking, lending, and investment services. Illustrative long-horizon comparable for CommStar's potential employer-to-community evolution.
• Digital Federal Credit Union (DCU): Large member-owned credit union providing full-service consumer and business banking nationwide via digital channels. Comparable member-owned, not-for-profit model; relevant benchmark for how CommStar could evolve its digital product set and member experience.

Emerging players

• Connexus Credit Union: Mid-size national credit union offering high-yield deposits, consumer lending, and digital banking. Comparable rewards/high-yield product positioning to CommStar, but with substantially greater scale and national reach via digital channels.
• Alliant Credit Union: National digital-first credit union serving members nationwide with high-yield checking and consumer lending. Comparable product economics (rewards checking, mobile-first banking) but competes from a national, digital-only platform — relevant as a competitive threat for CommStar's expanded FOM.

Regional players

• Wright-Patt Credit Union: Ohio-headquartered credit union serving the Dayton region and beyond. Comparable as an Ohio-based community/employer-originated credit union offering full consumer and mortgage products, but materially larger in scale, providing a benchmark for CommStar's growth trajectory.
• FirstEnergy Family Credit Union: Ohio-based community credit union serving employees and families in the energy/utility sector, similar in heritage to CommStar's Bendix-Westinghouse employer origins. Comparable member-owned structure and product mix, though operating in a different Ohio geography.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/commstarcu
• Facebookfacebook.com/CommunityStarCU
• Instagraminstagram.com/commstarcu

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Community Star Credit Union