Freehold-Based Credit Union Kicks Off Year-Long Anniversary Celebration

FREEHOLD, NJ — First Financial Federal Credit Union (FFFCU), a community credit union serving Monmouth and Ocean Counties, is celebrating its 90th anniversary this year.

Based in Freehold, FFFCU has grown from a small, visionary group of Asbury Park schoolteachers to the trusted financial partner of over 15,000 members today, officials said.

To mark this milestone year, FFFCU is inviting members to join in a year-long 90th anniversary celebration, which kicked off on February 6th with special giveaways and promotions.

“As we celebrate this milestone anniversary year, we continue to look to the future with optimism and purpose,” said Issa Stephan, President & CEO of First Financial. “We are here to empower our members and help them achieve their financial dreams in the most personalized way that we can.”

Founded in 1936 during the Great Depression and under the leadership of Harold “Pop” Shannon, the Asbury Park schoolteachers who helped found FFFCU pooled their monies together with the shared vision of helping one another meet their financial needs, as they organized one of the earliest credit unions in America.

The creation of a credit union based on trust, support, and financial empowerment played a crucial role in access to banking in a time of economic crisis and uncertainty, officials said.

As the seeds of resilience began to take root in the economy, the credit union shared in this resilience and grew to include employees of both Monmouth and Ocean County Boards of Education, at which time its name was changed to Mon-Oc Teachers Federal Credit Union.

Over the years, the credit union expanded its field of membership to include municipal employees (and changed its name to Mon-Oc Public Employees Federal Credit Union), employees of some local hospitals and nursing facilities, and several small businesses (when it was named Mon-Oc Federal Credit Union).

In April 2003, Mon-Oc became a community credit union, serving anyone who lives, works, worships, volunteers, or attends school in Monmouth or Ocean Counties.

The cooperative spirit that was created in the early days of Mon-Oc is still at the heart of its philosophy, and it became First Financial Federal Credit Union in July 2006, officials said.

Ninety years later, FFFCU said it remains steadfast in its commitment to its founding principles and takes pride in providing innovative financial solutions, convenient online and mobile banking options, personalized service, and meaningful support to help enrich the quality of its members’ lives.

The First Financial Board of Directors, leadership team, and staff extend their sincerest gratitude to their valued members for helping them to achieve this milestone.

“The success, longevity, and resilience of the credit union are a testament to the unwavering trust and loyalty its members have placed in it for nine decades and counting,” officials said. “First Financial looks to the future with confidence and remains committed to serving its community for years to come.”

To learn more about FFFCU and the credit union’s 90th anniversary celebration, you can visit their website.