Credit Union Careers | blog.firstffcu.com

At First Financial, we deeply value the dedication and hard work of our employees, who play a crucial role in making our services personalized and impactful. Their commitment to our members and the community is what sets us apart. In this spirit, we are thrilled to shine the spotlight on another one of our remarkable team members of 32 years – Nancy Culp, Chief Lending Officer. Nancy’s passion for service and her unwavering dedication to our members’ financial well-being, truly embodies what First Financial is all about. Her approach to banking is deeply rooted in the values of community and personalized touch. Nancy goes beyond loan transactions – she is passionate about building relationships and a close-knit, hometown feel that fosters trust. Keep reading to check out our interview with Nancy.

What was your background/work or education experience in your field before you began working at the credit union? I can hardly remember my life before the credit union. Prior to that I was a collections supervisor for the First National Bank of Toms River. I attended Ocean County College and Seton Hall University.

Can you walk us through one of your most important tasks and explain why it’s significant for our members? The credit union is all about members, as a cooperative the more members we have sharing in these benefits makes us different than big banks. Giving our members great service and products gives me personal satisfaction. Knowing that I make a difference in someone’s financial life is what drives me.

What personal values do you bring to your role here at the credit union and how do you see these values reflected in the work of First Financial? I believe the most important values I bring to my role are authenticity, determination, ethics and leadership. Team work in the organization has been tremendous.

Can you describe the team you work with and how you collaborate? The key to working with my different teams (the Branches and Loan Department) is constant communication.

What’s the best thing about being part of the team at First Financial? Each team member brings something to the table. First Financial is like a family and that translates to the personalized service we give to our members every day.

In your opinion, what sets First Financial apart from other financial institutions?Personalized service, and quick turnaround on questions and lending. Our employees really care about the members.

What’s something unique or surprising about you that members or other co-workers might not know? I am an amateur astronomer and an avid photographer.

If you could give one piece of financial advice to our members, what would it be?Don’t spend more than you can afford and always have an emergency fund.

Nancy’s vision for First Financial is clear – to build lasting relationships based on trust and financial education. By focusing on the well-being of our members and offering a listening ear, Nancy and her team ensure that our members feel valued and understood. We invite you to learn more about First Financial and how we, guided by employees like Nancy – are dedicated to providing 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.

Subscribe to our First Scoop blog and keep an eye out for more stories and updates from us, as we continue to highlight the amazing people that make First Financial stand out.

At First Financial, our employees are a crucial part of our business. We’re proud to feature Michael Walker, our Assistant Vice President of IT – whose dedication over the past eight years has significantly advanced our technological capabilities. Michael’s passion for his work and his commitment to our members’ needs, stands at the heart of his contribution. Check out our employee interview and learn all about Michael and his invaluable work here at First Financial.

What was your background/work or education experience in your field before you began working at the credit union? Curious about the capabilities of personal computers, I enrolled as a Computer Science major at Medgar Evers College–CUNY in New York City. While meeting my degree requirements, I took positions as a Computer Sales Representative and Systems Engineer. Years later, I moved to corporate IT Systems Management working largely for notable public relations firms. Along the way, I’d enhance my educational training by obtaining a Certification in Business Technology from New York University as well.

Can you walk us through one of your most important tasks and explain why it’s significant for our members? Our backend computer processes are the digital “face” of First Financial. Members depend on our technology to safeguard, manage, and grow their financial resources. In turn, the most important task for me is to ensure that our systems remain state-of-the-art, secure, available, and reliable while meeting the needs and expectations of our membership.

What personal values do you bring to your role here at the credit union and how do you see these values reflected in the work of First Financial? I was taught by my parents to always do a thorough job and exhibit pride in my work. Therefore, I always take personal ownership of the solutions I deploy when meeting the needs of our members. First Financial exhibits these values by engaging in more personal relations with our members than what is possible at other financial institutions. This ownership of their interests results in a better and more personalized banking experience for our members.

How do you personalize your service to meet the diverse needs of our members?Our IT staff has frequent opportunities to observe feedback on our technology solutions and we act upon them. We request useful changes from our developers and we communicate important changes so that our members know in advance what to expect. Most of all, we know our members come first and as such, we always work with an urgency to keep their satisfaction high.

What’s the best thing about being part of the team at First Financial? First Financial is truly a family environment. We care about one another and there is never a hesitation to jump in and assist different departments when the need calls for it. Every area’s contributions to the organization are known and recognized.

In your opinion, what sets First Financial apart from other financial institutions?As a credit union, we came to be with a desire to help our local community with the financial resources they needed. We are invested in our community, they are not just a number. We know our members by name and their goals become our goals.

What’s something unique or surprising about you that members or other co-workers might not know? Through childhood hobbies such as building model cars and electric trainsets, I’ve been exposed to schematics and technical diagrams my entire life. What I’ve always excelled at, is making the complex understandable for folks not drawn to such topics.

What message would you like to share with the members of First Financial? My job doesn’t end when I leave the office at the conclusion of the work day. Your experience with First Financial matters to me in countless ways. I am constantly thinking about ways to improve your experience with us, technologically and otherwise.

If you could give one piece of financial advice to our members, what would it be?Use your money wisely to invest in life experiences rather than on things with a short-term impact. In time, you’ll find that life experiences that warm the heart and solidify bonds were the best investments you ever made, and they create the most lasting memories.

Michael represents the heart and soul of what our employees stand for at First Financial: dedication, innovation, and genuine care for our members. His efforts ensure that not only are our systems reliable, but also that our members always feel supported. This interview offers one small window into Michael’s position and the large role he plays within our organization.

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

Subscribe to our First Scoop blog and keep an eye out for more stories and updates from us, as we continue to highlight the amazing people who make First Financial stand out.