The Quarterly Newsletter - Fall 2026
CCFCU Operations Center - Visits Welcome by Appointment
Our Operations Center team is dedicated to providing exceptional service and support to members; however, it's important to note that the Operations Center, located at 101 Gray Road in Falmouth, is not open for walk-in member service. Members who need to meet with Operations Center staff in person are welcome to do so by contacting us to schedule a visit!
Please note: The Operations Center in Falmouth is often confused with our Gray Branch. While the Operations Center is located at 101 Gray Road in Falmouth, our Gray Branch is located at 43 Lewiston Road in Gray and is open for in-person member service and teller transactions.
How the Operations Center Can Help
Our Operations Center team primarily serves members by phone and specializes in a variety of services, including:
New loan applications
Start your application by phone or online at www.myccfcu.com
Convenient and secure e-signature options are available for loan closings
Loan closings can also be arranged at a branch location
First mortgage applications
Apply by phone or online at www.myccfcu.com
Enjoy local service and dedicated guidance from application through closing
Debit card, ATM card, and credit card questions
Account maintenance and service requests
General member service inquiries
Medallion Signature Guarantee services
Document drop-offs and pick-ups
For your convenience, an ATM and Night Drop are available 24/7 at the Operations Center in the first drive-up lane.
Visit One of Our Branch Locations
If you prefer face-to-face assistance or need teller services, our branch teams are ready to help at any of the following locations:
Portland – 1345 Washington Avenue (next to Portland House of Pizza)
Westbrook – 150 Main Street (next to KFC/Taco Bell)
Yarmouth – 808 Route 1 (next to Hannaford)
Gray – 43 Lewiston Road (next to Spring Meadows Golf & Event Center)
Windham – 808 Roosevelt Trail (next to NAPA Auto Parts)
Services Available at Our Branches
Our branch teams can assist with a wide range of everyday banking needs, including:
Teller transactions
New account openings
Account and loan inquiries
General member service requests
Notary Public services
Each branch also offers 24/7 ATM and Night Drop access for your convenience.
Whether you connect with us by phone through our Operations Center or visit one of our branches, we're committed to making your banking experience as convenient, efficient, and personalized as possible. If you need assistance from the Operations Center, please contact us in advance to schedule an appointment. We look forward to serving you!
President’s Message
Ryan Grund, President
Dear Members,
Thank you for the trust you’ve placed in Cumberland County Federal Credit Union. As I begin my role as President, I am grateful for the opportunity to serve you, our members, and to build on the strong foundation that has made CCFCU a trusted financial partner for so many Mainers.
For the past 14 years, I have had the privilege of working alongside our exceptional team and seeing firsthand what makes us special: our commitment to helping members improve their financial well-being and remaining deeply connected to the communities we serve.
As we look ahead, our mission remains the same. We are committed to providing outstanding service, maintaining our financial health, enhancing your member experience, and supporting the local organizations that make our communities stronger.
I am excited about the future of CCFCU. Thanks to our members' trust and our team's dedication, we are well-positioned to keep growing while staying true to the credit union philosophy of people helping people.
Thank you for your membership and for allowing us to be part of your financial journey.
Sincerely,
Ryan Grund, President
Why Does CCFCU Place Holds on Deposited Checks?
By Karen Rickett, Chief Operating Officer
Karen Rickett, CCFCU COO
When you deposit a check, you may occasionally find that some or all the funds are not immediately available. While this can be inconvenient, check holds are an important tool that helps protect both our members and the credit union from fraud and potential financial losses.
1. To Protect Members from Fraud
Check fraud remains a significant issue across the country. Criminals often use counterfeit, altered, or stolen checks to target unsuspecting individuals. In many cases, a member deposits a check, sees the funds reflected in their account, spends the money, and later discovers that the check has been returned unpaid.
Placing a hold on a check gives Cumberland County FCU additional time to verify the item and helps reduce the risk of members becoming victims of check fraud scams.
2. To Ensure Funds Can Be Collected
Accepting a check for deposit does not automatically mean the funds have been received. The check must first be presented to the financial institution on which it was drawn, and that institution must verify that the account is valid and has sufficient funds available.
A temporary hold helps ensure that the funds can be collected before they are made fully available, reducing the likelihood of members spending money that ultimately never arrives.
3. To Protect Members from Unexpected Financial Responsibility
One of the most common misconceptions about check deposits is that once a check is deposited—or funds become available—the check has "cleared." Unfortunately, that's not always the case.
When Cumberland County FCU accepts a check for deposit, we are acting as a collection agent and sending the item through the banking system for payment. If the check is later returned for any reason—including insufficient funds, a closed account, a stop payment request, an altered item, or suspected fraud—the funds must be removed from the account into which the check was deposited.
It is important for members to understand that they are ultimately responsible for the checks they deposit. If a deposited check is returned unpaid, the responsibility for recovering those funds rests with the member, not the credit union. For that reason, we strongly encourage members to accept checks only from individuals and businesses they know and trust.
Know the Source Before You Deposit
Many scams rely on the mistaken belief that once funds appear in an account, the money is guaranteed. In reality, a check can still be returned days or even weeks after it has been deposited.
Before accepting a check, consider the following:
Do I know and trust the person or business issuing this check?
Am I being asked to send some of the money to someone else?
Is the payment unexpected or unusually large?
Does anything about the transaction seem suspicious or too good to be true?
If you are unsure about a check, contact Cumberland County FCU before spending any of the funds. A quick conversation may help you avoid becoming the victim of a costly scam.
Our Commitment to Protecting Members
At first glance, a check hold may seem like an inconvenience. In reality, it is one of the many ways Cumberland County FCU works to safeguard our members' accounts and protect them from fraud-related losses. Check holds help ensure that deposited funds are legitimate and provide an added layer of security in today's increasingly complex fraud environment.
While we always strive to make funds available as quickly as possible, our first priority is protecting our members' financial well-being. By placing appropriate holds when necessary and educating members about the risks associated with check fraud, we help keep your accounts—and your hard-earned money—safe.
The best protection is simple: Only accept checks from trusted sources and never spend funds from a check until you are confident the payment is legitimate.
Sarah Blovet, VP of OPS
Stay Alert: Protect Yourself from Holiday Fraud
By Sarah Blovet, VP of Operations
The holiday season is a busy time for shopping, travel, and giving, making it a prime opportunity for scammers. A little caution can go a long way in protecting your personal and financial information.
Common Scams to Watch for:
Online Shopping Scams: Be wary of deals that seem too good to be true and only shop with trusted retailers.
Phishing Emails and Texts: Avoid clicking suspicious links or sharing personal information.
Package Delivery Scams: Verify tracking information directly through the carrier's website.
Wire Fraud: Always confirm wire instructions using a trusted phone number before sending funds. Once a wire is sent, it can be difficult to recover.
Gift Card Scams: Legitimate businesses and government agencies will never demand payment by gift card.
Charity Scams: Research organizations before making donations.
Fraud Prevention Checklist:
☐ Verify unexpected emails, texts, and phone calls.
☐ Think twice before clicking links or opening attachments.
☐ Never share passwords, PINs, or security codes.
☐ Review your accounts regularly for suspicious activity.
☐ Confirm wire transfer instructions independently.
☐ Be cautious of anyone creating urgency or requesting unusual forms of payment.
We're Here to Help!
Not sure if something is legitimate? Contact CCFCU before you act. If you have questions about a suspicious phone call, email, text message, wire transfer request, or account activity, we're here to help.
Stop by a branch or give us a call. We're happy to assist and help keep your finances safe this holiday season.
When in doubt, check it out! Taking a few extra moments to verify a request could save you from becoming a victim of fraud.
Wishing all our members a safe, happy, and fraud-free holiday season!
CCFCU Named Best Places to Work for Second Year
CFCU has been named one of the 2026 Best Places to Work in Maine for the second year in a row!
We are honored to achieve this award again and take pride in the fact that we are a workplace where employees feel supported, enjoy coming to work every day, and given the ability to give back in our communities.
A heartfelt thank you to our amazing employees who made this recognition possible, and for doing what they do best each and every single day!
