Tag Archives: Credit Union

First Financial Member Spotlight: Lauren Griffin

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“First Financial knows their members. And that really makes a huge difference.”

Welcome to our First Financial member spotlight – a series where we feature some of our personal and business credit union members who we’ve happily worked with over the years. Next up is Freehold/Howell Branch member, Lauren Griffin.

Lauren initially came to First Financial when she was a new teacher looking for good rates and a safe place to put her money. After a positive experience obtaining a car loan, Lauren continued her membership with checking and savings accounts. Watch the video to learn more about her experience with us!

How to join First Financial

If you live, work, worship, volunteer, or attend school in Monmouth or Ocean Counties in NJ, you’re eligible to become a member. Businesses in Monmouth or Ocean Counties and our community partners are also eligible for membership. To join, all you have to do is open a savings account with $5. It’s that easy! Once you’re a member, your immediate family can also sign up. To get started, call us at 732.312.1500, email info@firstffcu.com, or stop by any of our local branches.

First Financial Member Spotlight: Susan West Hebert

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“I’m treated with dignity and respect. What really speaks to me is the respect they have for the community.”

Welcome to our First Financial member spotlight – a series where we feature some of our personal and business credit union members who we’ve happily worked with over the years. Next up is long-time member, Susan West Hebert.

As a former employee of the Freehold Regional High School District (one of our community partners), Susan became interested in banking with a credit union once she learned about it through her employer. After being warmly welcomed at our Freehold branch, Susan knew First Financial was the place where she wanted to put her money. Over the years, she acquired a mortgage with us and also an auto loan when she decided to buy out her car lease. At First Financial, we take pride in offering loans with low rates, flexible terms, and quick approval decisions.

How to join First Financial

If you live, work, worship, volunteer, or attend school in Monmouth or Ocean Counties in NJ, you’re eligible to become a member. Businesses in Monmouth or Ocean Counties and our community partners are also eligible for membership. To join, all you have to do is open a savings account with $5. It’s that easy! Once you’re a member, your immediate family members can sign up too. To get started, call us at 732.312.1500, email info@firstffcu.com, or stop by any of our local branches.

First Financial Business Member Spotlight: Certified Auto Mall 2022

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“I refer First Financial to everybody!”

Welcome to our First Financial member spotlight – a series where we feature some of our personal and business credit union members who we’ve worked with over the years. First up is Bill Stahnten, the owner of Certified Auto Mall in Howell, NJ.

Bill has been banking with First Financial for all his business and personal needs for the past 10 years. We helped get him set up with lending, checking accounts, credit card processing, and more. As a business owner, it was important for Bill to work with a credit union that could make managing money seamless – and we provided just that. Our team takes pride in making banking convenient and easy, so you can focus on the many other facets of managing your business.

Certified Auto Mall specializes in sales, service, and towing. Their phenomenal reviews speak for the excellent quality, value, and service that they provide. If you’re in the market for a great pre-owned vehicle, be sure to shop Certified – located at 5499 Rt. 9 in Howell.

How to join First Financial

If you live, work, worship, volunteer, or attend school in Monmouth or Ocean Counties in NJ, you’re eligible to become a member. Businesses in Monmouth or Ocean Counties and our community partners are also eligible for membership. To join, all you have to do is open a savings account with $5. It’s that easy! Once you’re a member, your immediate family members can sign up too. To get started, call us at 732.312.1500, email info@firstffcu.com, or stop by any of our local branches.

Top Reasons to Join First Financial Federal Credit Union

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When it comes to banking, it’s always better to work with a financial institution that has your best interest in mind. At First Financial, we don’t have customers, we have members. Meaning, our community is fully owned and operated by our members. Simply put, we care about you and putting your financial dreams first.

If you’re considering switching banks or are interesting in joining First Financial, here are some of the top reasons to become a member.

Better rates and lower fees

What exactly is a credit union? It’s like a bank, but better. At a credit union, you belong to and own part of the financial institution. And since we’re a not-for-profit, we don’t pay our stakeholders as other banks do. Instead, our profits go back to you in the form of lower interest rates and helpful products. We work with our members to provide customized loans and personalized services too. Whether you’re shopping for auto loans, starting a savings account, opening a credit card, or buying a home, we’re here to help!

Exclusive member promotions

At First Financial, we reward our members with promotions and deals that help them save on loan payments, tax filing, mortgages, and more. Additionally, we offer virtual seminars aimed at educating individuals on financial management and retirement. This is all part of our promise to make your financial wellness our first priority!

Community matters to us

We’re proud to be part of the Monmouth and Ocean County communities and actively support area businesses, individuals, and families through a variety of initiatives. The First Financial Foundation, for example, assists charitable organizations through classroom grants, scholarships, and more. We’re also committed to supporting our community by participating in donation drives and fundraisers.

How to join First Financial

If you live, work, worship, volunteer, or attend school in Monmouth or Ocean Counties in NJ, you’re eligible to become a member. Businesses in Monmouth or Ocean Counties and our community partners are also eligible for membership. To join, all you have to do is open a savings account with $5. It’s that easy! Once you’re a member, your immediate family members can sign up too. To get started, call us at 732.312.1500, email info@firstffcu.com, or stop by any of our local branches.

5 Ways Technology Can Save You Money

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Overhead view marble counter top with male hand holding cup of coffee with computer keyboard, cell phone, reading glasses, and bagel on plate. Work at home concept.

In this world of instant gratification, technological advancements sure can make life easier. If you use technology correctly, it can also save you a lot of money. Here are some ways technology can save you more than a few bucks.

Smartphone apps

There are a ton of apps available that can save you money. There are apps that will help you monitor your budget, find travel discounts, find the cheapest gas prices, as well as loyalty apps that will help you earn rewards for what you spend. Do a search for these topics in your phone’s app store and start saving!

Doing everything online

All the best deals are online. If you spend time in line at the store buying birthday presents, you’re wasting time, and time is money, so you’re also wasting money. Shop online. If you’re driving to your bank to deposit a check, you’re wasting gas and gas costs money, so you’re again wasting money. Deposit that check with your mobile banking app. If you’re mailing in a check to pay a bill, you’re spending money on checks and postage and that’s also wasting money. Pay that bill online!

Get rid of that landline

We all remember that phone on the wall in the kitchen that had the super long cord that would allow you to talk and walk to the other side of the house. These days, landlines aren’t as popular. Some people like the security and reliability they provide, but they are probably few and far between. But if you’re looking to save a few bucks on something you’re probably not using as much as your cell phone, it may be time to disconnect.

Get a smart thermostat

Some of the more advanced thermostats know when the house is empty and will adjust your heating or AC accordingly. Thanks to GPS, they also can see when you’re heading home and re-adjust the temperature for your arrival. This may sound a little creepy, but it’s also super cool and cost effective.

Cut those cable cords

If you’re still paying for cable or satellite tv, you may as well go outside and light your wallet on fire. With all of the available streaming options out there these days, you can almost get the exact same channels for half the price.

Article Source: John Pettit for CUInsight.com

 

4 Ways to Curb Your Excessive Amazon Shopping Habit

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amazon-logoIf you’re human you probably enjoy the benefits of an Amazon Prime membership: Free 2-day shipping on tons of products and access to free music, movies, and TV shows are great justifications for a subscription to the online giant. If this describes you and you want to curb this habit, here are few things you can do to make it harder for you to buy things you don’t really need.

Delete the app from your phone

If you have the Amazon app on your phone, you may have perused it many times out of sheer boredom. Sitting in a waiting room or a traffic jam can spur purchases that aren’t exactly wise. By taking the app off your phone or tablet, you’ll be way less likely to make that impulse purchase. If you need to look up a product from your device, use the web browser and don’t login to your account (aka: online window shopping).

Unsubscribe from mailing lists

Are you the type to see a deal you like and immediately buy it? If this is the case, make sure you unsubscribe from Amazon emails. Sometimes those $10-$20 products are too enticing to pass up. The less you see it, the more likely you’ll resist the temptation.

Delete your credit card information

If you’re reading this you’re more than likely an Amazon Prime member and that means you probably have your credit card info saved on the site. This is great for ease of use but it also makes it easier to buy items that are totally not needed. If you want to put a roadblock between you and those purchases, delete that information. Having to input that info every time you want to buy something will hopefully make you change your mind every once in a while.

Create an Amazon Wish List

Now you probably don’t think this is a very valuable bit of advice, but by putting something on a wish list, you’re delaying a purchase. A wish list can help you sort out the things you need, the things you want, and the things you think you want but don’t really care about.

Article Source: John Pettit for CUInsight.com