Issa Stephan, the President and CEO of First Financial – has been instrumental in our institution’s growth and success for the past 19 years. In this employee spotlight, we are highlighting his incomparable impact. Issa brings a wealth of experience and leadership to his role, as well as a genuine dedication and care for the credit union’s work and the employees. His commitment to integrity, honesty, and respect has shaped First Financial’s culture, fostering a supportive environment for both the staff and members. Under Issa’s guidance, the credit union continues to leverage all resources to provide personalized service and remains dedicated to the financial well-being of the Monmouth and Ocean County community.

How long have you worked at First Financial? What was your background/work or education experience in your field before you began working at the credit union? I joined First Financial 19 years ago as the 4^th President & CEO. I have been involved with credit unions since 1995. Prior to that, I was in the information technology field. I have a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Information Systems with a minor in Finance.

Can you walk us through one of your most important tasks and explain why it’s significant for our members? I oversee all aspects of the credit union’s operations. My focus is to drive the resources of the credit union toward our short and long-term strategic goals. I am also the main point of communication between the board of directors and credit union operations.

What personal values do you bring to your role here at the credit union? How do you see these values reflected in the work of First Financial? I bring integrity, honesty and respect to the credit union culture. These values are crucial to create an environment where the staff can connect with each other and with every member of First Financial in an honest and respectful manner.

How do you personalize your service to meet the diverse needs of our members? We leverage our technologies to understand our members’ needs and provide personal touches to their experience with First Financial.

Can you describe the team you work with and how you collaborate? I have an excellent team at First Financial. My team collaborates and communicates in a positive way to provide all the necessary tools for our staff to deliver superior member service.

What’s the best thing about being part of the team at First Financial? It is the ability to help one member at time – to work toward achieving his/her financial goals.

In your opinion, what sets First Financial apart from other financial institutions? We are local and all of our employees live in our service area. Credit union decisions are made locally since our headquarters is based in Freehold, NJ. We pride ourselves on resolving any issues in a timely and fair manner.

What’s something unique or surprising about you that members or other co-workers might not know? I collect scale diecast model cars. I also enjoy cooking.

What message would you like to share with the members of First Financial? The credit union’s ultimate and most important goal, is to give our members a better future in their financial lives.

If you could give one piece of financial advice to our members, what would it be? Pay yourself first through a savings account supported by an achievable budget.

Issa’s dedication and leadership continue to propel First Financial forward, ensuring it remains a pillar of support for its members and the local community. His strategic vision and clear communication help the credit union provide exceptional service and build a brighter financial future for our members. We are proud to have Issa behind the wheel, guiding and steering us toward continued success and growth. Visit our website to discover the First Financial difference.

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