Tag Archives: First Financial Federal Credit Union

First Financial Business Member Spotlight: Hairstylist for the Nations

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“I have many ideas about my business and First Financial knows how to help.”

It’s Small Business Saturday, and we are taking the opportunity to highlight one of our wonderful business members to encourage the support of shopping and using local Monmouth & Ocean County small businesses! With that being said, welcome back 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. This time we’re shining a light on business member Ameerah Jones, the owner of Hairstylist for the Nations in Shrewsbury, NJ.

Ameerah started Hairstylist for the Nations in 2012 after working in the fashion industry. One of the first reasons she decided to bank with First Financial was because there were no monthly fees for business checking accounts. Over time, Ameerah learned that First Financial met her needs as a freelance business owner in a fast-paced environment where she is constantly on the go – especially with her business’ credit card processing. The credit union also continues to be invested in helping her business grow.

Learn more about her experience in banking with First Financial in the video below, and why Ameerah recommends our business banking to other business owners she knows.

If you’re looking to book your next hair appointment, check out Hairstylist for the Nations located at 1026 Broad Street, Suite 6 in Shrewsbury. You can also call 732.242.7733.

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: 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.

Important Update on First Financial’s Response to COVID-19 in Our Area

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March 19, 2020

Effective beginning Monday, March 23, 2020 all First Financial branches in Freehold/Howell, Neptune, and Toms River will be operating using Drive Thru and ATM services only during our regular business hours. All branch lobbies will be closed to walk-in visitors until further notice.

Please know this decision did not come lightly. Our senior management team has weighed each and every scenario, and ultimately made the decision that practicing our New Jersey governor’s recommendation of social distancing and limiting face-to-face contact is in the best interest of our staff, membership, and the local community.

We will still do everything we can to meet your banking needs during this difficult time. Our Member Relationship Phone Center will be available to take your calls during regular business hours of Monday-Friday 8am to 6pm, and Saturday 9am to 12:30pm.

We will continue to schedule in-branch visits for loan closings, account openings, and the Investment & Retirement Center by appointment only during regular business hours. Please call us at 732.312.1500 to schedule an appointment at your nearest branch.

As always, you can access your First Financial accounts through the electronic banking services we have available:

Despite this inconvenience, we continue to remain committed to serving you and your family with as little service disruption to your banking experience as possible.

Should you have any questions or concerns during this unprecedented time, please contact our Member Relationship Phone Center at 732.312.1500.

Thank you for your understanding and be well,

 

 

 

 

Issa Stephan
President/CEO
First Financial Federal Credit Union
732.312.1500 – Local Callers
866.750.0100 – Out of Area
www.firstffcu.com

Do Your New Year’s Resolutions Need a Do Over?

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Believe it or not, it’s May already. You’ve flipped the calendar page four times, and if you’re like more than 80% of the general public, it’s been a few months since your New Years’ resolutions crashed and burned. Have you taken the time to analyze why your good intentions didn’t pan out? Maybe they were too ambitious. Maybe they weren’t challenging enough. Whatever the reason (or excuse), your resolutions are over. Done. Finished. Or are they?

Failed goals aren’t ashes. They’re embers.

Is it possible to revive resolutions that haven’t shown signs of life in months? Absolutely. To stoke your motivational fire, you’ll need to revisit the reasons you set those goals in the first place. Take a close look at the things you want to accomplish, and then determine whether they’re still a realistic possibility. If so, recommit yourself. If not, adjust your expectations. But once you decide to have another go at it, work smarter not harder.

Find your momentum with micro-goals.

While it can be discouraging to examine missed goals or failure in general, author Erin Lowry addresses the topic of failed resolutions with refreshing candor on her Broke Millennial blog. Lowry shared, “Like most of us, I fail each year at my New Year’s resolutions. Then I realized I should apply one of my favorite money tactics to my resolutions. Micro-goals. I’m a big believer in setting a lofty goal and then working backward to chunk that goal down into manageable pieces.”

The beauty of micro-goals lies in their universal application. Financial Goals. Fitness ambitions. Relational hopes and dreams. Whatever the category, micro-goals can help you get back on track. The key to starting over is finding a way to gain momentum, and breaking your big goals into smaller goals can set yourself up for easy wins. Then, as you experience the sense of accomplishment that comes from completing each little task, you’ll find the inspiration to carry on toward your ultimate destination. Like the peaceful painter, Bob Ross, once said, “There’s nothing in the world that breeds success like success.”

Take another run at those financial goals.

Are you doubling back to pursue a financial resolution like paying off debt, building an emergency fund, or saving for retirement? Remember, you don’t have to do it alone. Your credit union can be an incredible partner in your pursuit of financial stability. From low-interest loans and high-interest savings accounts, to financial counseling and investment advice – credit unions provide a wide array of solutions designed to help their members win with money.

Not a credit union member? Your first micro-goal is an easy one: become a credit union member as soon as possible! If you live, work, worship, volunteer, or attend school in Monmouth or Ocean Counties in New Jersey – you are eligible to become a member of First Financial. It’s easy, get started now!