FREEHOLD, N.J. – The third installment in a series of advertisements in this state featuring the “legacies” of individual credit unions has debuted. First Financial FCU in Asbury Park, which was founded by a group of teachers in 1935, is the latest to be highlighted in the “Legacy” campaign organized by the New Jersey Credit Union League.
“In true cooperative spirit, this group came together to help each other in a time of need and organized themselves into one of the earliest credit unions in America, Monmouth County, NJ Teachers Federal Credit Union,” the league said. “Today, 80 years later, that credit union still exists, much larger and now known as First Financial Federal Credit Union.”
The new ads explain how getting from Monmouth County Teachers FCU to First Financial FCU took more than a few years of growth and expansion, cooperative efforts, and dedication to specific communities. Under the employees of both the Monmouth and Ocean County Boards of Education, the small shop went through a name change to reflect the groups it served: Mon-Oc Teachers Federal Credit Union.
In April 2003, Mon-Oc FCU became a community credit union, serving anyone who lives, works, worships or attends school in Monmouth or Ocean Counties. With this expansion, the credit union became First Financial Federal Credit Union in July 2006.
Celebrating its 80th anniversary this year, the credit union stays true to its roots as an organization founded by teachers. “Education has and always will be a pivotal piece of our organization, and we have stayed true to our educational roots by continuing to support our members and the local community through financial education,” said First Financial FCU President/CEO Issa Stephan. “We hold free monthly seminars on various important topics such as budgeting, credit management, debt reduction, how to buy a home or car, and more. Our Foundation provides annual college scholarships to Monmouth and Ocean County students, as well as classroom grants to teachers within our community. We are proud to support our local teachers, students, and educate as many members of our community as we can.”