At First Financial, our dedicated team members are the driving force behind our continued success and unwavering commitment to our members. This month, we are shining the spotlight on Terriann Warn, our Chief Financial Officer (CFO), who has been an integral part of our credit union family for an impressive 35 years! Terriann’s journey with First Financial is rooted in a solid foundation of expertise and dedication. As CFO, Terriann’s steadfast commitment ensures that we continue to thrive – serving our community for generations to come. Join us as we delve into Terriann’s remarkable journey and the pivotal role she plays in shaping the future of First Financial.

What was your background/work or education experience in your field before you began working at the credit union? I have a Bachelor of Science Degree in Accounting from Georgian Court University. While getting my degree, I worked in various retail stores and as a bookkeeper at a local marina.

Can you walk us through one of your most important tasks and explain why it’s significant for our members? As the CFO, my primary responsibility is the financial safety and soundness of the credit union. This is significant because the credit union has been servicing our members for 88 years, and we want to continue servicing them for another 88 years and beyond.

What personal values do you bring to your role here at the credit union? I would say I bring reliability, integrity, accountability, responsibility, and adaptability.

How do you see these values reflected in the work of First Financial and how do you personalize your service to meet the diverse needs of our members? I see this reflected in my staff in the way that they take responsibility and accountability for a situation to the end. Adaptability and reliability in the way they change paths based on what is needed to support other areas within the credit union and our members, because they come first. As for integrity, I take pride in doing the best job possible. I personalize my service by listening to our internal (staff) and external members.

Can you describe the team you work with and how you collaborate? As the CFO, I interact with all areas of the credit union. I directly manage or oversee the following areas: Accounting, Operations, our Member Relationship Center, Records Management, and Compliance. I believe the key to any team or organization’s success is good communication. I encourage my team members to work together by communicating, supporting, and respecting each other.

In your opinion, what sets First Financial apart from other financial institutions? What sets us apart from other financial institutions is that we are a local, community-based organization that only services Monmouth and Ocean Counties. When a member calls or walks into one of our branches – they are speaking to a person who is part of the same community, people who understand what is impacting our members’ lives.

What’s something unique or surprising about you that members or other co-workers might not know? I learned at a young age, how to treat people. While playing sports growing up – I saw how coaches treated their players. Some just yelled a lot and favored the best players. Others actually coached by being patient, supportive, and respecting not just the best players – but all players. These individuals made a lasting impression on me and are the examples I used in developing my management style here at First Financial.

What message would you like to share with the members of First Financial? We are here to assist our members with all of their financial needs. From opening a savings account to save for the future, a checking account to pay their monthly bills, or a loan to buy their first house or car – to our Investment and Retirement Center to plan for the future. We are here for each of our members’ financial needs.

If you could give one piece of financial advice to our members, what would it be? Create a budget. A budget should keep track of the money coming in – such as salary, and the money being spent – such as utility bills. One’s budget should prioritize their needs first – housing, food, insurance, transportation, and then wants second – vacations, going out to dinner, or other things that you can live without.

Terriann epitomizes the core values of dedication and integrity that define our Leadership Team at First Financial. Terriann’s journey from local bookkeeping as a college student to her 35-year (and counting!) career with First Financial, is a testament to her reliability and adaptability. As our Chief Financial Officer, she plays a pivotal role in safeguarding the financial well-being of our credit union – ensuring that our members receive the highest standard of service and support. Terriann’s values resonate in every aspect of her work here at the credit union. Her leadership inspires our team to strive for excellence, driven by a shared commitment to serving our community with pride and dedication.

Want to join the team at First Financial? Check out our careers webpage and apply online for current employment opportunities.