We’re thrilled to once again shine the spotlight on Nino’s — featuring their latest expansion, Nino’s Bistro Express in Neptune, NJ! Following the success of their original Nino’s Coal Fired Pizza in Brick Township, owner Anthony Schifilliti and his son Joey, saw an opportunity to bring their well-loved menu to Monmouth County. With a focus on high-quality food at a faster pace, Nino’s Bistro Express is all about delivering an elevated and efficient dining experience.
Bringing Nino’s to Monmouth County
“We named it Bistro Express because we wanted it to be fast and accessible,” says Joey. Expanding to a new location is no small feat, but with a state-of-the-art kitchen and a streamlined approach, Nino’s Bistro Express ensures customers get the same incredible flavors they’ve come to love — just quicker! “People are getting high-quality food at a faster pace. It’s a win-win.”
Banking That Moves as Fast as Nino’s
For the Schifilliti family, First Financial has been the go-to financial institution that makes business banking seamless. “First Financial has always been the easiest for us. It’s always been the most accessible, whether it’s through the employees or online banking,” Joey shares.
One of the biggest advantages? Personalized service that makes banking effortless. “When I go to a branch with my dad, they call us by our first names,” he says. “When payroll time comes around and my dad needs quick transfers, First Financial gets it done the fastest every time.”
For small businesses like Nino’s, having a financial partner that values efficiency and personal relationships makes all the difference. At First Financial, that’s exactly what we’re all about.
Visit Nino’s Bistro Express
Whether you’re in the mood for pizza or another fan-favorite dish, you can enjoy the same quality that made their Brick location a success — now on Rt. 66 in Neptune, NJ. Visit their website for hours, menu, and ordering information.
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, and once you’re a member – your immediate family can also sign up.
For more than 20 years, Michael Balsamo has trusted First Financial as his banking partner. As a seasoned realtor with a deep commitment to his clients, Michael values the personalized service and support he experiences every time he walks into a First Financial branch. “Whenever I walk into a branch, everybody says hello and makes me feel like a member of their family,” he shares. With a special appreciation for the Toms River branch, Michael often works closely with Branch Manager Brian Lang and his team, who he says consistently provide “top-notch” service.
As a full-time real estate agent with REMAX Revolution, Michael’s clients depend on him to recommend reliable mortgage solutions, and First Financial is at the top of his list. In addition to mortgage services, Michael finds First Financial’s online banking tools essential for managing his day-to-day transactions. “I pay my bills online, and if I ever have a question, their 800-number support is always helpful,” he says. First Financial’s blend of convenience and reliability allows him to bank wherever and whenever he needs to, making it easy to stay on top of his finances.
Reflecting on his long-standing relationship with First Financial – Michael confidently shares, “I would never think of banking with anyone else. It’s been over 20 years, and I’m never going to leave.”
We’re honored to be part of Michael’s financial journey and are committed to providing him with exceptional service. Be sure to check out his video interview below.
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 First Financial member. Businesses in Monmouth or Ocean Counties and our community partners are also eligible for membership. To join, simply 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.
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.
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 4th 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.
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 Jessica Tortorice, our Vice President of Marketing and Business Development. Jessica has been an integral part of our credit union family for 15 years, starting as a Marketing Coordinator and advancing to her current role with dedication and expertise. Her passion for effective communication and personalized service has helped First Financial grow significantly and brought the credit union closer to the community. Join us as we delve into Jessica’s journey, her contributions, and the role she plays in shaping the future of First Financial.
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 have been employed by the credit union for 15 years. I started at First Financial as a Marketing Coordinator back in 2008, and at that time I was also going to graduate school to obtain a Master’s Degree in Corporate and Public Communication from Monmouth University. Prior to starting at First Financial, I was a Marketing Coordinator for the Health & Safety Department at the American Red Cross for 4 years. Marketing was my minor at Marist College where I received my Bachelor’s Degree. I have always enjoyed marketing & advertising, and my career path seems to have kept me in the same field.
Can you walk us through one of your most important tasks and explain why it’s significant for our members? My most important task is providing information to our members about our products and services through various communication channels. This includes signage, flyers and brochures within our branches, email communications to our members, social media posts, and digital messaging such as the First Financial website at firstffcu.com. If there is a message which needs to be communicated to our membership, it is my job to make sure that gets done.
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 Federal Credit Union? For me, communication is key when it comes to anything in life – whether it’s at home, work, or in any type of relationship. I try to always ensure the important messages that need to be communicated – whether it’s internally with our employees or externally to our membership, are effectively addressed and made available to those who need them. I see this value reflected in the work of First Financial through the personalized service and communication we provide both internally amongst our staff, as well as to our members. Our employees know our membership and we pride ourselves on being able to give them personalized service and attention that’s tailored to their needs.
How do you personalize your service to meet the diverse needs of our members? My job requires me to be able to communicate to our members across various mediums – whether it’s getting the message across within a branch via advertising collateral and signs, through direct mail, email messaging, social media posts, writing educational blog articles, newsletter publications, or through our website. It’s my job to make sure there are multiple ways to reach and educate our current members and potential future members.
Can you describe the team you work with and how you collaborate? The First Financial Marketing and Business Development Departments began working together as one, over 5 years ago. We recognized at the time that we had the same focus on the importance of communicating with the membership, helping to reach and acquire new members, and get the credit union message out to the local community – as well as provide everyone we could with financial education. This mission is still continued in the work we do together with our community partners throughout Monmouth & Ocean Counties – bringing the credit union message, offerings, and financial education to local school, healthcare, and municipal employees in our area.
In your opinion, what sets First Financial apart from other financial institutions? At First Financial, you’re not just a number. Our frontline staff especially, knows our membership and often greets them by their first name upon walking through our doors. The First Financial Family goes beyond the relationships we have between co-workers, it extends to our members too. If you have a question about something – whether it’s internally between staff or as a member calling in or stopping by a branch, you’re going to actually speak to someone who can help you.
What’s something unique or surprising about you that members or other co-workers might not know? I am an avid photographer, and I also love to bake.
What message would you like to share with the members of First Financial? The credit union is truly here for our members – whether it’s helping you save money on your monthly car payments by refinancing your higher rate auto loan from the dealership, to finding a loan payment and term that fits your budget, or planning for your retirement years – we are here to be your financial partner through it all.
If you could give one piece of financial advice to our members, what would it be? Always save for a rainy day by paying yourself first – you never know when that financial emergency may pop up. Having a bit of a cushion in a savings account can help ease the burden of financial stress, or racking up debt on a credit card that you’ll have to pay off down the line (with interest). It’s easy to allocate even a small amount from each paycheck to go right into an emergency savings fund through your direct deposit. You won’t even miss it!
Jessica’s vision to ensure every member feels informed, valued, and supported in their financial journey epitomizes the core values that define our Leadership Team at First Financial. We invite you to learn more about First Financial and with the guidance of dedicated employees like Jessica, we continue to provide exceptional service and support to our members. 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.
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.
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