About Us

Vision
Community First Bank – Chicago is a chartered, full service financial institution focused on bringing financial solutions to individuals, owner-operator businesses and not-for-profit organizations.

We are an FDIC-insured, community oriented commercial bank, whose focus is on the economically vibrant, racially diverse, northern most Chicago neighborhoods including greater Rogers Park, West Ridge, North Park and Edgewater as well as the surrounding suburbs of Evanston, Lincolnwood and Skokie.

Our philosophy is in our name: Community First. We believe our advantage is a solutions-based, no hassle, high personal touch approach to banking. Since most of us at Community First live or have worked in the area for many years, we clearly understand the needs of the neighborhood, its people and businesses. We fill these needs through a combination of traditional and non-traditional financial products and services, utilizing leading edge delivery systems.

Investing for the Long Haul
We recently moved into our new, 9,000 square foot banking facility at 7555 N. Western, Chicago at the intersection of Western and Howard. This state of the art facility has a spacious, roomy interior, a community room, 3 drive-ups, an ATM and plenty of free client parking. Not only are we creating jobs but also through our new building we are demonstrating our commitment for a long-term investment in the neighborhoods we serve.

People and Execution
Our officers and staff have years of urban banking experience but what sets us apart is that we know how to execute to help our clients solve their financial needs and challenges – quickly, privately and with an extraordinary degree of high touch, relationship driven service.

Community Leadership
We have fully engaged ourselves in the community having met with business and civic leaders and organizations throughout the area. Community First has and will continue to support the communities we serve with our personal time and financial investment and reinvestment.

Community First Bank – Chicago Management
  • Steven D. Olson, Chairman, President & CEO
    Steve has over 25 years of experience in the Chicago banking industry. Prior to organizing Community First Bank - Chicago he worked at Uptown National Bank of Chicago and served as Executive Vice President and Senior Lending Officer of Uptown when it was acquired by Bridgeview Bank Group in late 2003. Active in community affairs, Steve is currently a member of the Rogers Park Community Council Board of Directors. He has served as vice president and a member of the boards of Organization of the Northeast (O.N.E.), The Uptown Center Hull House, American Indian Business Association, Uptown Chamber of Commerce and the Uptown Community Development Corp (UPCORP). Steve was also instrumental in organizing corporate participation and sponsorship, over a period of 10 years, for the Chicago Aids Walk. He is a graduate of North Park University and the Graduate School of Commercial Lending, University of Oklahoma. He can be reached at (773) 433-1350 or solson@c1bank.com.
  • Mark A. Straub, Executive Vice President, CFO & Director
    Most recently Mark was Sr. Vice President & Controller of F.N.B.C. of LaGrange, Inc. a two-bank holding company. Mark, who was one of CFBC’s primary organizers, spent 22 years with PlainsBank of Illinois, reaching the post of vice president and controller at the time of that organization’s sale in 2002. He is a graduate of Augustana College, Rock Island, IL. He can be reached at (773) 433-1380 or mstraub@c1bank.com.
  • Daniel B. Starzyk, Senior Vice President, Senior Lending Officer & Director
    Dan’s banking career began in 1988 when he joined Uptown National Bank of Chicago as a management trainee. He rose through the ranks to become Sr. Vice President and Sr. Commercial Lender. After the sale of Uptown, Dan served as a Sr. Vice President in Commercial Lending with Bridgeview Bank Group. Dan is on the Board of Directors of the Rogers Park Builders Group and is an active member of EUBA (Edgewater / Uptown Builders Association). He has served as president and a board member of the Andersonville Chamber of Commerce; was a past vice president of EUBA; and, treasurer and a board member of the Ravenswood Industrial Council Board. He was a significant contributor in the organization of Community First. Dan holds a bachelor’s degree from Northern Illinois University and an MBA from DePaul University. He can be reached at (773) 433-1370 or dstarzyk@c1bank.com.
  • Kathleen F. Marc, Senior Vice President – Human Resources, Information Systems and Operations
    Kathy has many years of retail business and banking experience. Prior to joining Community First, she was a Senior Vice President in charge of information systems and administration for Evergreen Community Bank, Evergreen Park, IL. Kathy was an organizer and founding officer of the Bank and also served as its corporate secretary. Before that, she served for 13 years with First National Bank of Evergreen Park (now Fifth Third Bank) and its holding company First Evergreen Corporation, was responsible for the human resource, payroll, benefit and profit sharing information systems. She currently serves the Bank as the President of the regional Jack Henry and Associates Northern Illinois User Group. She can be reached at (773) 433-1352 or kmarc@c1bank.com.
  • Mina Cardenas, Vice President – Business Development, Retail Banking Manger
    Mina has worked in the Rogers Park community for over 12 years, previously serving First Commercial Bank as their Vice President - Retail Banking Manager. She was also the bank's primary community liaison. Her bi-lingual language skills allow her to create bridges between CFBC and the emerging Hispanic populations in the surrounding neighborhoods. As a well-respected community conduit, Mina serves on the board of directors for DevCorp North (the community’s key economic development agency), the West Ridge Chamber of Commerce, and the Howard Area Community Center. Mina was the visionary behind DevCorp North’s "Clark Street Festival". This summer festival helps promote businesses and restaurants along one of the area’s most important commercial corridors. In recognition of her community involvement and support, the Roger Parks Community Council awarded her the 2006 "Community Partnership Award". Mina can be reached at (773) 433-1372 or mcardenas@c1bank.com.
  • Jay A. Steiner, Vice President – Commercial Banking
    Jay is a longtime Chicagoan, who resides in the Lakeview area. He began his banking career in 1997, with Uptown National Bank (now a part of Bridgeview Bank Group) where he served as a credit analyst, loan officer and assistant vice president of commercial lending. In 2003, he became assistant vice president and subsequently, Vice President of Commercial Lending at North Shore Community Bank. Jay currently serves on the board of Directors of DevCorp North and the Rogers Park Community Development Corp. He has been active in many other community groups including the Uptown Historical Society, Andersonville Chamber of Commerce and served as co-chair of the Andersonville Midsommerfest. He is a graduate of the Graduate School of Banking at the University of Wisconsin. He can be reached at (773) 433-1371 or jsteiner@c1bank.com.
  • Dawn M. Gregory, Assistant Vice President – Executive Administration
    Dawn is a lifelong Chicago resident with over 15 years of banking experience. She began her career with All-American Bank of Chicago as a teller. She was soon promoted to the Loan Department and served as an administrative assistant as well as in Loan Operations. She then joined Uptown National Bank of Chicago as a Loan Documentation Specialist and provided key support to the bank’s Lending Officers. She later served as the Executive Administrative Assistant to both Uptown’s chairman and president. After Uptown’s merger with Bridgeview Bank Group, she continued in this vital role until joining Community First. Over the years, Dawn has been active in the local community as volunteer or participant in bank sponsored activities. She can be reached at (773) 433-1357 or dgregory@c1bank.com.



Products and Services
We help our clients make the most of their money. Community First Bank – Chicago offers a wide range of products and services to meet any financial need – personal, business or not-for-profit including:

Personal Banking Products
  • Checking, Savings and CD’s
  • IRA’s
  • Mortgage and Equity loans and lines
  • Personal loans
Business Banking Products
  • Remote Deposit Capture
  • Commercial and Investment real estate loans
  • Lines of credit
  • Business loans
  • Checking, MMDA’s and Savings Accounts
  • Commercial development and Construction loans
  • Aircraft lending
Not-For-Profits
  • Checking, Savings Accounts
  • N-F-P loans

Board of Directors
Board of Directors
Seated (left to right): Alvin J. Helfgot, Dieter Thiergart, Joseph A. Mirro and Joel A. Stein
Standing (Left to right): James R. Reynolds, Steven D. Olson, Mark A. Straub, Daniel B. Starzyk and Marc Thiergart

Our Board brings not only a keen knowledge and history of the communities we serve but business and financial acumen to help us grow prudently and profitably.

Alvin J. Helfgot, attorney; Joseph A. Mirro, business owner, (real estate construction, development and management); Steven D. Olson, Community First Bank President & CEO; James R. Reynolds, insurance agent; Daniel B. Starzyk, Community First Bank SVP and senior lender; Joel A. Stein, attorney; Mark A. Straub, Community First Bank EVP and CFO; Dieter Thiergart, former banker & business owner (wholesale distribution); Marc Thiergart, business owner (wholesale distribution).

Contact or Visit Us At:

Community First Bank – Chicago
7555 N. Western Avenue
Chicago, IL 60645
Phone: (773) 262-1100
Fax: (773) 262-1166
www.c1bank.com

Your Community Bank