At First Financial, our employees are a crucial part of our business. Some of our employees go out into the Monmouth and Ocean County community to interact with and learn about the heart of First Financial—our members and businesses that we serve. Today, we have a new addition to the team that will be a friendly face around the community—Samantha Colella, our new Business Development Representative.

From a young age, Samantha was interested in the lasting impression she could make on a financial institution and the surrounding community they serve. That interest took her to Lehigh University, where she obtained a Bachelor’s Degree in Business & Economics. Prior to joining First Financial, Samantha had client-facing roles at both a start-up and a large retail bank, equipping her with the perspective required to identify the needs of the communities served. Now back home in New Jersey, her passion brought her to First Financial, where she will be working to increase First Financial’s reach in Monmouth and Ocean Counties and support our community partners and businesses, and the people that make those organizations run.

Samantha’s role will focus on marketing and community outreach through business development. On the marketing side, she will support our VP of Marketing in engaging and connecting with members of the community through various channels. On the community outreach side, she will focus on supporting our existing community partnerships and forging new relationships for the credit union. You might run into her at your local branch, at a local vendor fair, or even at your favorite local business.

Samantha is excited to join the First Financial Family, and support members and businesses in their financial well-being. Stay tuned to First Scoop, and you’ll get to read some of her upcoming blog posts!

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