Fed Up With Your Bank? Consider a Credit Union

Posted on June 21, 2013 by Marketing Coordinator Nicole

Last year, credit union membership grew by 2 million people and credit union deposits topped $1 trillion for the first time ever, according to the Credit Union National Association. This was after banks got a bad rap during the financial crisis for their part in risky mortgage lending and for fees that many consumers view as unnecessarily greedy…

Think of credit unions as not-for-profit banks. That’s what they are, although they are not allowed to call themselves by that name. Do they have something to do with credit cards? Only partially. Or unions? No. Are they private clubs that few people can join? No again.

Today anybody can join a credit union. There’s always a way, and yet many people don’t realize that. True, in the old days, you could only join a credit union if your employer offered one. That’s still a great way in, but there are plenty of other ways to join. For example, one credit union runs a charitable foundation in its community and if you donate $25 to the foundation you are eligible to join the credit union. To become a member of First Financial, you must live, work, worship, volunteer, or attend school in Monmouth or Ocean Counties, New Jersey, as well as keep at least $5 in a base savings account with the credit union.*

Why would you want to? Since credit unions are not-for-profit, they can often afford to offer their members lower rates on loans. They are also more flexible in listening to members’ stories rather than just looking at their credit scores. So if you have imperfect credit, but there’s an understandable reason for it, such as an illness in the family, or a recession-related job loss, tell your story and you may still get approved for a loan at a credit union.

What size savings might you find? Here’s one example. After researching interest rates online for a $25,000 car loan, some banks were charging as much as 11.22 percent. The lowest rate found was at a credit union. Over the course of the loan, a lower rate of 4.25% would save you nearly $2,000!** Check out First Financial’s current loan rates to see if you can save money by refinancing or applying for one of our loans.

Go ahead, consider at least adding a credit union like First Financial to your financial strategy. Americans seem to be catching on that credit union membership is a beneficial piece of the financial puzzle.

“Every member of the credit union is an owner,” explains Issa Stephan, President and CEO of First Financial Federal Credit Union. “Money doesn’t go to a few investors, or to rally the stock price. We put what we need in capital as required by the federal government. Everything else goes back to the members through lower rates on loans, higher savings rates, updated technologies and assisting members through hard times. A lot of people lost their jobs and went through difficult times recently, and we use our resources to help our members with integrity and commitment to their long-term financial success.”

Doesn’t this make you interested in trying a credit union? If you’re not a member already, spread the word to family and friends! Call us at 732.312.1500, stop into any one of our branches, or visit us online at www.firstffcu.com to open a membership today!

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*$5 in a base savings account is your membership deposit and is required to remain in your base savings account at all times to be a member in good standing. All credit unions require a membership deposit. **Credit worthiness determines your APR.

5 Reasons to Shop at a Credit Union for Car Loans

Posted on May 2, 2013 by Marketing Coordinator Nicole

When you’re in the market for a new or used car, you’re probably thinking about financing the vehicle. While dealerships make their own financing programs sound especially attractive, it’s always a good idea to shop around for the best auto loan rates—starting with local credit unions, like First Financial.

Mike Schenck, Senior Economist for The Credit Union National Association, says there are several reasons why you’ll be better off choosing a credit union over a commercial bank. Here are five of them:

1. You have a better chance of having your loan approved. If you have mediocre credit or have had credit problems in the past, a credit union might be “more likely to listen to your story than a commercial bank,” says Schenck. If you’re worried you might get turned down for a car loan because of your credit history, consider approaching a credit union before you talk to a lender at a commercial bank. Even though the loan application process is the same and the underwriting process is similar, the credit union may make some adjustments that a commercial bank would not. Many credit unions are more inclined to listen to its members’ needs and unique situations—sometimes adjusting terms of a loan accordingly.

2. Lower rates. A five-year term is the most common loan term for a new or used car, and rates at a credit union are typically much lower than the average rate at a competitor bank. According to the latest report from the market research firm Informa, the average rate on a new car loan of $30,000 from a commercial bank is 4.16 percent, while the average rate on a new car loan for the same amount from a credit union is 2.82 percent; that’s more than a 1.3 percent difference and equates to a difference of $215 a year, or $1,100 over the life of the loan.

3. Personalized service. Credit unions are not-for-profit organizations and work to provide members with high-quality customer service. Since operations decisions are made by a group of volunteer board members—rather than a group of stockholders—members tend to have a more personable experience at a credit union. You can openly discuss your concerns about your loan, talk about flexible repayment options and review your financial situation with a dedicated professional. This can alleviate some of the pressure of applying and securing financing for your new or used vehicle and you can be more confident that the credit union is working with your best interests in mind.

4. Educational resources readily available. Schenck explains that almost all credit union branches have a dedicated education and resource center, where members can learn more about financing options and how to make the best decisions when assessing the value of their car purchase. If you’re a first-time car buyer and apprehensive about the loan process, you can turn to a credit union for unbiased answers. “The branch can show you how to calculate the real value of your car—not just what the dealership declares as the value of the vehicle— and make a better decision about the deal,” says Schenck.

5. Non-sales approach. Unlike commercial banks, which often grant their lenders bonuses or some type of compensation for the loans they get approved, credit unions work for their members and aren’t driven to sell you anything that equates to extra money in their pocket. All profits from members end up going back to them in the form of better rates on other financial products, such as savings accounts, and more flexible loan options. If you don’t like the pressure of working with lenders from a commercial bank, consider heading to a credit union for a less sales-oriented approach—and potentially rewards in the form of better financial products and services.

First Financial’s goal is to provide the highest level of quality products and personalized services while maintaining financial integrity and stability, thus enriching the quality of our members’ lifestyles. Apply for a new or used auto loan right online – it’s quick, easy and secure! For additional questions, feel free to call us at 732.312.1500, e-mail us at info@firstffcu.com or stop in to see at any one of our branches.

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What is a Credit Union?

Posted on March 5, 2011 by M2 The Agency

Unlike banks which take the money they make and pay out their stockholders, credit unions are not-for-profit and pay out their members in the form of lower rates and personalized services. A credit union member is someone who meets the membership criteria and belongs to the credit union. See if you qualify for a First Financial Membership.

How many people can say that their bank knows them by their name and customizes services just to meet their individual needs? Probably not many.

Allow this comparison chart to help you better understand the bank vs. credit union difference:

Big Banks	Credit Unions
Credit Card increases	Affordable credit card rates
Credit lines cut or cut-off	Loans and lines of credit for what you need, when you need it
Rising fees and rates	Minimal fees and low rates
Need help? See Policy B, Section 24, Addendum 76c	Need help? Call, click or come by your nearest branch for personalized service

So basically, a credit union is really like a bank, but better!
Learn about special credit union member perks.

Think back to the first time you heard of a credit union. What was your initial thought on what it was? How has being a credit union member improved the quality of your life? If you are new to credit unions, do low rates and personalized services sound good to you?