As summer comes into full swing, many Maryland residents dream of road trips, family vacations, and new adventures. If you’re considering purchasing a vehicle to enhance your summer experiences, summer auto loans can be a fantastic option. These loans are designed to meet the unique needs of consumers during the warmer months, offering competitive rates and flexible terms. In this blog post, we’ll explore the benefits of summer auto loans, how to secure the best deal, and why credit unions might be your best bet for financing.
Why Choose a Summer Auto Loan?
Summer auto loans are tailored to capitalize on the seasonal demand for vehicles. As families plan vacations and individuals seek reliable transportation, lenders often respond with attractive loan options. Here are some key benefits:
- Competitive Interest Rates: Many lenders, including credit unions, offer lower interest rates during the summer months to attract borrowers. This can lead to significant savings over the life of your loan.
- Promotional Offers: Dealerships frequently run summer promotions, such as cash rebates or zero-percent financing, making it an ideal time to purchase a vehicle.
- Flexible Terms: Summer auto loans often come with flexible repayment options, allowing you to choose a plan that fits your budget.
Who Should Consider Summer Auto Loans?
Summer auto loans are suitable for a variety of individuals:
- First-Time Buyers: If you’re purchasing your first vehicle, summer auto loans can provide the financial support you need while taking advantage of seasonal promotions.
- Families: With children out of school, families often need reliable transportation for vacations and outings. A summer auto loan can help you secure a vehicle that meets your family’s needs.
- Credit Union Members: Credit unions typically provide lower rates and more personalized service compared to traditional banks.
How to Secure the Best Summer Auto Loan
- Assess Your Financial Situation: Before applying for a loan, evaluate your budget and credit score. A higher credit score can lead to better interest rates.
- Shop Around: Don’t settle for the first offer you receive. Compare rates from different lenders, including credit unions, banks, and online lenders.
- Get Pre-Approved: Securing pre-approval can give you a better idea of how much you can borrow and strengthen your negotiating position at the dealership.
- Consider Your Options: Look for loans that offer flexible repayment terms and low fees. Credit unions often provide favorable terms for their members.
Conclusion
As you prepare to embark on your summer adventures in Maryland or beyond, consider the benefits of a summer auto loan. With competitive rates and promotional offers, now is the perfect time to secure financing for your new vehicle. Apply for your summer auto loan with First Financial today!
This giveaway is now officially closed. We appreciate our members input and the time taken to participate!
We’ve given our website a fresh new look and now we want to hear what YOU think! Are you loving the soft color design? Enjoying the smoother navigation? Your feedback can help us deliver the best experience to our members.
Members who “share their two cents” will be entered to win one of FIVE $25 deposits!
Sweepstakes Details
We’re excited to hear from you and make sure we’re serving our members the best we can!
At the end of the Sweepstakes, we will randomly select 5 winners on or around July 7, 2025. Prizes will be awarded on or around the week of July 14, 2025 via deposit into the winners’ Savings 01 accounts.
Remember, First Financial will NEVER contact you for credit card information or other personal/sensitive information. If you have any questions, please contact Member Services directly at 410-321-6060 or toll-free at 1-800-903-3328.
No purchase is necessary. The Sweepstakes closes at 11:59 p.m. EDT on June 30, 2025. Open to First Financial members who are in good standing with the credit union and at least 18 years of age at the time of entry. Read the Official Rules to learn more.
It pays to be a First Financial member! In 2024, members earned over $2.5 million in cashback rewards.
Log in to Online or Mobile Banking to see your quarterly payouts and keep track of your rewards throughout the year with our Rewards Tracker!
Rebates Included:
Don’t wait – Start earning today!
1 Earn $0.25 per transaction when qualifications are met using ‘cash back’ (PIN required) option at checkout. 2A cash rebate of 2% is contingent upon opening and maintaining Better Rewards Checking, otherwise, purchases earn a 1.5% cash rebate. See requirements for Better Rewards Checking.
Getting ready for a vacation? If you plan to use a popular vacation rental website or application (app), such as AirBnB, HomeAway, or VRBO to find your next getaway, beware. Cybercriminals are using these services to trick you and steal your money.
How Does It Work?
The scammers often post completely fake rental listings using images they find on the internet, or they steal pictures and property details from legitimate rental listings to create their own listing with the scammer’s contact information. When someone inquires about a fake listing, the scammer will request a security deposit or a portion of the full rental price as a down payment. Once the scammer has your money, they’ll cancel the reservation at the last minute, or you will arrive at your vacation home to find that the property is already booked, or that the property doesn’t even exist.
How Do I Know It’s a Scam?
Don’t let the scammers ruin your vacation. Remember the following tips when you’re booking your next vacation rental online:
- Book official. Only use reputable websites that offer protection against fraud and have a secure payment portal.
- Make sure that the property exists. Search for the property on Google Maps or another mapping service. If you know someone in the area that you will be visiting, ask them to check out the property for you. Scammers might use an address that does not exist, or use the address of a random company, vacant building, or parking lot.
- Research the rental listing. Search online for the property owner’s name and address, and look for images of the property, before you make a deposit. If you find multiple listings with different contact information, reconsider booking the property.
- Read the reviews. If a property has multiple negative reviews, or doesn’t have any reviews, consider a different property.
- Only make payments through the official website for the rental listing. Scammers often try to get you to pay with a check, get you to wire them money directly, or use services like MoneyGram or Western Union to make a payment.
Visit our Security Center for more tips on keeping your information safe.
As of March 31, 2025, the standalone Zelle® app has been discontinued. But don’t worry, we’ve got you covered!
Here’s what you need to know:
Already enrolled with Zelle through First Financial’s Mobile App?
Great news! If you’re already using Zelle through our mobile app, there’s nothing you need to do. Keep sending and receiving money with ease to friends, family and small businesses who also use Zelle through their bank or credit union.
Switching from the Standalone Zelle App?
If you were using Zelle’s standalone app to manage your transactions, First Financial has you covered! Our mobile app offers Zelle, making it convenient for you to continue using this service. Learn more about using Zelle directly through our mobile app.
Earn $25 by Referring Friends!
Know someone who was using the standalone Zelle app? You can refer family, friends and coworkers to become First Financial members. When your referred new member joins, you’ll both get a $25 reward!* It’s a win-win: they get to keep using Zelle and you get rewarded! Learn more* about our Referral Program.
Need help?
If you have any questions about using Zelle through First Financial’s mobile app, you can send us a Secure Message through Digital Banking, or call us at 410-321-6060. We’re here to help!
Experiencing financial difficulty?
Consider a First Financial debt management plan before settling!
If you’re navigating credit card payments and other debt, it’s helpful to consider the best approach for your situation.
Think twice before deciding
⊗ Debt Settlement
- Debt settlement companies charge 15 to 25 percent of your enrolled debt.
- Debt settlement companies cannot guarantee your debt reduction.
- You send all payments to the debt settler and not the creditor. These payments are held until enough accumulates to make an offer to the creditor. In the meantime, your credit score may be impacted due to missed payments to the creditor.
- Settlement negotiation could take months, even years jeopardizing your credit.
- Forgiven debt may be considered taxable income so you need to check with your tax professional.
- Your account with the creditor may be charged off if left unpaid for so long and may incur additional fees if forwarded for litigation or suit.
✔ Debt Management
- The cost to participate in a Debt Management Plan from a debt management company may be lower than a debt settlement company.
- Debt management companies negotiate payment plans to pay off your debt in a specified timeframe. These companies request concessions from creditors, which may help pay off your debt faster.
- Debt management companies immediately pay creditors upon receiving automatic deposits from your paycheck.
- Debt management companies work with creditors to modify your loan upon agreement and may provide you a fresh start in repayment.
- You will work with a financial counselor that considers all of your financial health and debt.
- With successful completion, you can maintain a record of good standing with your creditors.
Take advantage of special member benefits by enrolling in a debt management plan with our partner, Greenpath Financial Wellness.
There’s a new scam going around where fraudsters are trying to trick people into thinking they have unpaid tolls. The scammers impersonate E-ZPass, a well-known toll collection system, and may send fraudulent emails (phishing) or text messages (smishing) claiming you need to pay your invoice immediately to avoid excessive late fees.
Red Flags of the Scam
- Messages from unknown or suspicious emails or phone numbers demanding immediate payment
- Messages with grammatical or spelling errors
- Urgent language designed to create panic and a sense of urgency
- Links that don’t match the state’s official E-ZPass website (often containing extra characters or unfamiliar domains)
What to do if You Receive an E-ZPass Scam Message
- Never click on the links in the message
- Do not respond and delete the text or email.
- Do not share sensitive information, including credit card or banking details
- Check your official E-ZPass account by logging in directly to the official website
Visit Fraud Prevention for more tips on keeping your information and devices safe.
In preparation for the First Financial Federal Credit Union Annual Meeting, scheduled for April 17, 2025, the Volunteer Recruitment & Nominating Committee of First Financial FCU recommends the following candidates to fill the vacancies on the 2025 Board of Directors:
Avon Garrett has served for 14 years as the Dean, School of Business, Social Sciences, Wellness and Education at the Community College of Baltimore County. Prior to that he served as a member of the Senior Cryptologic Executive Service at the National Security Agency-retiring after 30 years of Federal service. He has been a member of First Financial Federal Credit Union since 2000. He has served as a volunteer on the Appeals Committee since 2018 and, while serving in that capacity, became an Associate Director on the First Financial Board of Directors in 2021. He became a Director of the First Financial Credit Union Board of Directors in 2022 and in that same year became Chair of the First Financial Scholarship Committee.
Jonathan Butts currently works at the Social Security Administration (SSA) in the Department of Headquarters Space Management. He founded JB Home Design, LLC. in 2003 and has contributed part-time since 2023. Before that, he was a project manager at several architectural firms for almost 20 years. He has been a First Financial Federal Credit Union (FFFCU) member since 1984 and has volunteered at FFFCU since 2016. He has served on the Long Range Facilities Planning Committee (LRFPC) since 2016. In 2018, he became an Associate Director and was later appointed Board Director while serving on the LRFPC. During 2019, Mr. Butts became Chairperson of the Employment Engagement and Retention Committee (EERC). In 2021, he became Co-Chairperson of the Volunteer Recruitment and Nominating Committee and began volunteering on the Merger and Acquisition Committee.
John Knauff has served in management for 34 years. From 2002 through 2015 he held the position of Business Manager for Construction and Leasing at The JHU/APL and was a member of several committees including the FACT team (Facilities and Construction Team), Long Range Site Development Team, and the Pension Committee. In 2016, he transitioned to the Facilities Department where he was responsible for the operation of approximately 500,000sf of leased space, both local and remote. He has been a volunteer at First Financial Federal Credit Union since 2002, by first serving on the Supervisory Committee. He currently serves on the Board of Directors, holding the office of Vice Chairperson. He also serves as Chairperson of the IT Steering Committee and the Long Range Facilities Planning Committee, serves as Co-Chair of the Volunteer Recruitment & Nominating Committee, and is a member of the Executive Committee and Merger & Acquisition Committee.
First Financial Federal Credit Union Bylaw Nomination and Election Procedures: Nominations for vacancies may also be made by petition signed by 1% of the First Financial FCU membership with a minimum of 20 and a maximum of 500 members. Nominations by petition must be filed with the First Financial FCU Secretary by March 7, 2025. An election will be held at the Annual Meeting on April 17, 2025, to fill the vacancies on the Board of Directors. The election will not be conducted by ballot and nominations will not be accepted from the floor unless there are insufficient candidates for position vacancies.
The First Financial FCU Annual Meeting will be held on April 17, 2025 at 6pm. Registration is required.
Please be aware of scammers impersonating First Financial representatives to commit fraud.
A call may come from a spoofed number, where the caller ID information appears to be a call or text coming from First Financial.
Examples of requests the fraudster may ask include (but are not limited to):
- Possible fraudulent activity or transactions on your account
- Attempts to add a card to a digital wallet
- Request online banking username and password
- Multi-factor authentication codes
- Card information or PIN number
- Impersonator collecting debit or credit cards under false First Financial identity
Please be aware that these phone calls are not from anyone at First Financial. First Financial will never contact you to request this information by phone, email or text. Always hang up and contact First Financial directly to confirm if the request and message are legitimate. We also won’t send representatives to your home to collect debit or credit cards.
Please note: If you call First Financial directly, we may ask for a one time verification code to confirm your identity.
How to avoid impersonator requests:
Scammers often pretend to be from an organization you know and trust. They use technology to change the phone number that appears on your caller ID so the name and number you see, may not be real.
They may also say you’re in trouble or owe money, and pressure you to act immediately. Here are some ways to help protect yourself against phone call scams:
- Remember, banks, service providers and government agencies will never ask for your PIN, CVV, one-time passcodes, online username and password over phone, email or text.
- Resist the pressure to act immediately.
- Before you do anything else, stop and talk to someone you trust. Hang up and contact the organization directly. They can help you identify if the message is legitimate or possibly a scam.
- Never provide your cards to anyone coming to your home claiming to be First Financial.
- Enroll in card alerts & controls and account notifications to be immediately notified of any changes.
As always, if you have any concerns or believe you have received a suspicious message, please contact Member Services at 410-321-6060, or send us a secure message through Online Banking or Mobile App.
Visit Fraud Protection for more tips on keeping your information and devices safe.
You might not be a little kid anymore, but this season was simply made for your inner child! The holiday season can overload us with opportunities for fantastic fun and resounding joy – like holiday vacations, gatherings with family and friends, special events, gift-giving, and much more. While the joy of the season can’t truly be bought, virtually everything related to the holidays comes at a financial cost. And for many of us, those costs can become overwhelming.
The key is to tame that holiday sending while it’s happening so you don’t blow your budget for the holiday season and for months to come. Getting your holiday spending under control is best accomplished as early in the season as possible so that it can be built into your holiday plans.
Here are some strategies to try to tame your holiday spending:
Create a Holiday Budget
Using what you know about your current financial picture – including your income, level of savings, typical monthly expenses and other factors – designate an amount of money to use as your starting point for a holiday budget.
Make a List
Begin by writing out your gift list, including the travel, events, gatherings, charitable donations, and other purchases you are planning for the season. Include cost estimates for each time on your list. You can also refer back to the last few years to get an idea of how much you typically spend.
Check it Twice
Add up your list and check it against your holiday budget. If your expected expenses are greater than your budget, it is time to trim your list. If you have a surplus, you should still try to stick within your budget in case of a financial emergency and put it towards your savings.
Comparison Shop
Whenever possible, look around for the best price on everything from gifts and décor to food and travel. Keep in mind that one retailer may have an exceptionally low price on one item but make up the difference by keeping other prices higher – so you’ll likely have to shop multiple retailers. Book travel as early as possible to avoid last-minute fares and accommodation prices, which tend to increase as the holidays draw nearer. Use coupon codes and keep track of limited-time sales, too.
Get Hands-On
Hand-made gifts can be extraordinary, so consider making some gifts to help stick to your holiday budget. Doing some simple baking or even putting together a uniquely curated gift basket yourself can help you craft some of the most thoughtful gifts on a budget.
Monitor Your Spending
As the holiday shopping season progresses, keep track of your expenses and continually compare them against your holiday budget. Making adjustments along the way may be necessary and will help you better prepare for next year, if needed.
Focus on the Joy
Naturally, the holiday season is really about the joy it brings. If you find that one of your holiday traditions isn’t something that truly lets you experience the joy of the season, then try skipping it and reconsidering it for next year. Ultimately, deciding to eliminate expenditures altogether can make the most positive impact on your holiday budget.
Once the holidays are over, make sure you have a plan if necessary, to pay down any holiday debt you have accrued.
