First Financial Credit Union

What First Financial Credit Union does

First Financial Credit Union is a not-for-profit, member-owned credit union founded in 1933 by a group of educators during the Great Depression, chartered under California state and federal credit union regulation, and headquartered in Pasadena, California. It provides a full suite of consumer banking products exclusively to California's educational community, including active and retired educators, school administrators, school employees, and their immediate and extended family members. The institution operates six physical branches across Los Angeles County and the Inland Empire (Pasadena, Lakewood, Montclair, Northridge, Redlands, West Covina) and a wholly-owned insurance subsidiary, TSA Special Member & Insurance Services, Inc.

Name

First Financial Credit Union

Legal name

First Financial Credit Union

Website

https://ffcu.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1933

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

First Financial Credit Union is a not-for-profit, member-owned credit union founded in 1933 that provides consumer banking products and services exclusively to California educators, school employees, and their families through six branches and digital channels.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Retail Banking (Credit Union)

NAICS

Credit Unions (52213), Credit Unions (522130), Credit Card Issuing (522210)

SIC

Savings Institution, Federally Chartered (6035), State Commercial Banks (6022)

akta.pro primary industry

Community Credit Unions (Retail/Consumer Focus) (FSABAEAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Faith-Based & Affinity Credit Unions (FSABAEAH), Credit Cards & Revolving Credit (FSABAAAC), Bank & Credit Union Personal Loans (Unsecured Installment) (FSAKAAAL)

Keywords

• Credit union banking
• Consumer lending
• Deposit accounts
• Home equity loans
• Educator financial services

Headquarters

HQ city

West Covina

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices6 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Loan Interest Income: Interest earned on auto loans, mortgages, home equity loans, HELOCs, and credit cards. Primary revenue driver for credit unions.
2. Fee Income: Various banking fees including ATM fees for non-network ATMs, wire transfer fees, overdraft fees, stop payment fees, and loan-related fees. Published fee schedule available.
3. Deposit Account Services: Savings accounts, share certificates, IRAs, and checking accounts generating income through interest rate spreads between borrowing and lending rates
4. Credit Card Services: Visa Platinum credit card generates interchange fees and interest income on balances carried

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

First Financial Credit Union is a not-for-profit, member-owned credit union that provides retail banking and consumer lending products to California educators, school employees, and their families. Its core offerings include deposit accounts (savings, checking, share certificates, IRAs, trust accounts), consumer loans (auto, mortgage, home equity, HELOC, emergency loans), a Visa Platinum credit card, and a digital banking platform spanning web banking, mobile apps, an eBranch virtual channel, and ATM/shared-branch network access.

Product overview

First Financial Credit Union operates as a full-service financial institution offering a unified banking platform centered on deposit accounts, lending products, and digital banking services. The core product portfolio comprises Savings and Checking accounts, Share Certificates (CDs), IRAs, and Trust Accounts for deposits, alongside Auto Loans (with free PALM buying services), First Mortgages, Home Equity Loans/LOC, Adjustable Rate Mortgages, Jumbo Loans, Emergency Loans, and Visa Platinum Credit Cards for lending. Digital banking is delivered through Online Banking (web-based platform), Mobile Banking (iOS/Android apps), eBranch (digital account opening), Digital Wallet, eStatements, External Transfers, and Bill Payment. Additional services include Telephone Banking, Wire Transfers, Direct Deposit, Card Services, the Ohana Referral Program with loan discounts, Financial Calculators, Insurance/Loan Protection, Visa Security Alerts, and Travel/Entertainment Discounts. The institution primarily serves the California educational community including teachers, administrators, school employees, and their families through six branch locations and extensive digital banking channels.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Savings Accounts Savings deposit accounts including Share accounts and Junior Savers designed for building emergency funds and achieving financial goals, available to credit union members.
• Checking Accounts Feature-rich checking accounts including Convenience Checking and Prime Checking options with no minimum balance requirements and no direct deposit mandates.
• Share Certificates (CDs) Term deposit accounts offering competitive yields up to 3.30% APY on a 12-month Relationship Share Certificate, with various maturity periods and Aloha Share Certificate variants.
• IRAs (Individual Retirement Accounts) Tax-advantaged retirement savings accounts including Traditional and Roth IRA options for members planning for retirement.
• Trust Accounts Specialized savings accounts for trust arrangements and estate planning purposes.
• Auto Loans Vehicle financing for new and pre-owned automobiles with rates as low as 5.09% APR for up to 60 months, available to credit union members.
• First Mortgages Home purchase loans including conventional and jumbo mortgage options with competitive rates for members.
• Home Equity Loans Lending products enabling members to access their home's equity for debt consolidation, home improvements, or other financial needs.
• Home Equity Line of Credit (HELOC) Revolving credit line secured by home equity with a fixed rate of 4.99% APR for the first 6 months and flexible draw periods.
• Adjustable Rate Mortgage Mortgage product with interest rates that adjust periodically based on market conditions.
• Jumbo Loans Mortgage financing for loan amounts exceeding conventional conforming loan limits.
• Emergency Loan Program Short-term lending solution designed to help members with unforeseen financial emergencies.
• Visa Platinum Credit Card Credit card with a low fixed rate of 11.90% APR, no foreign transaction fees, no balance transfer fees, and no annual fee for credit union members.
• Online Banking Internet-based service providing 24/7 access to account information, fund transfers between accounts, bill payment, and account management through a web browser.
• Mobile Banking Banking application available on iOS and Android devices providing 24/7 account access, mobile check deposits, and account management from anywhere.
• PALM Auto Buying Services Free in-house auto buying service that searches and negotiates vehicle purchases on behalf of members based on their needs and budget.
• eBranch Digital banking service enabling new account opening, auto loan applications, mortgage applications, and general inquiries through online channels without visiting a branch.
• Wire Transfers Electronic funds transfer service for domestic and international wire transactions, with published fee schedule ranging from $15 to $30.
• Insurance and Loan Protection Credit protection products including payment protection, identity theft protection, and GAP coverage for loans, offered through wholly-owned subsidiary TSA Special Member & Insurance Services, Inc.

Quantifiable outcome

• More than 97% of members say they would recommend First Financial to family members and colleagues
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Pasadena Unified School DistrictcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSchool Partnership Agreement (SPA) with Pasadena Unified School District serving school employees with exclusive financial products and services.
• CCAE (Congress of Faculty Associations)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAssociation Partnership Agreement (APA) with CCAE at state and multiple chapter levels (Baldwin Park, Central Section, LA Metro, South Coast, Southern Section) providing member benefits to faculty association members.
• ACSA (Association of California School Administrators)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartnership with ACSA regions (6, 12, 15, 16, 18) and APSA (Association of Pasadena School Administrators) providing exclusive financial services to school administrators.
• CSEA (California School Employees Association)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSelected Employer Group (SEG) partnership with CSEA at state level and multiple chapters (145, 309, 399, 788, South Bay 59, Turlock 56, Upland 163) serving school support staff.
• Charter Oak Unified School DistrictcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSchool Partnership Agreement with Charter Oak Unified School District including Charter Oak High School.
• LAUSD (Los Angeles Unified School District)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartnership with LAUSD covering multiple regions and divisions including Local District East, Local District Northwest, LD South Operations, Region East/West Student Support, Pupil Services & Attendance, and Student Health and Human Services.
• Covina Valley Unified School DistrictcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSchool district partnership with Covina Valley USD and Covina Unified Education Association.
• Montebello Unified School DistrictcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSchool district partnership with Montebello Unified School District Student Services.
• Los Nietos School DistrictcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSchool district partnership with Los Nietos School District.
• Riverside County Office Teachers AssociationcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAssociation partnership with Riverside County Office Teachers Association serving educators in Riverside County.
• CTA (California Teachers Association)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPrimary association partnership providing membership eligibility for active and retired members of CTA, its subsidiaries, chapters and affiliated teacher organizations.
• Sweetwater Division of Adult EducationcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartnership with Sweetwater Division of Adult Education serving adult education professionals.
• California CasualtyminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorApproved employer group/SEG partner providing auto insurance and financial services to educators.
• Jack in the Box (Select Locations)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSEG partner at Bakersfield, City of Commerce, Riverside, San Bernardino, Santa Barbara, and West Covina locations.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• SchoolsFirst Federal Credit Union: California's largest credit union serving school employees and educators, with over $30B in assets and 1 million+ members. Most directly comparable as a fellow educator-focused California credit union with similar SEG/SPA strategy and full-service product suite.
• California Credit Union: California-based community credit union with a defined field of membership including education and community partners. Comparable as a multi-branch California cooperative offering deposits, lending, and digital banking to a defined membership base.
• First Tech Federal Credit Union: Affinity-based credit union serving technology employees and affiliated groups nationwide. Comparable as a SEG-driven, member-focused institution with strong digital banking capabilities and similar member loyalty economics.
• Kinecta Federal Credit Union: Southern California-headquartered credit union serving a defined community field of membership. Comparable geographic positioning, multi-branch footprint, and similar community-led GTM with full-service banking products.
• Patelco Credit Union: Northern California-based community credit union with broad community field of membership and similar multi-branch, full-service retail banking model. Comparable as a California cooperative serving consumer and small business members.
• Wescom Credit Union: Southern California credit union serving a defined membership field including employees of partner companies and community organizations. Comparable regional presence, multi-channel distribution, and educator-adjacent community focus.
• Teachers Federal Credit Union: Long Island-based credit union serving educators, school employees, and affiliated members. Directly comparable as an educator-focused affinity credit union with deep community ties and member-focused product positioning.
• BECU (Boeing Employees Credit Union): Large Washington-state credit union originally serving Boeing employees, now open to broader community. Comparable as a large SEG-anchored credit union with strong member loyalty, multi-channel distribution, and full-service product portfolio.

Regional players

• San Diego County Credit Union: California credit union headquartered in San Diego serving a defined community field. Comparable product suite and credit union member model but focused on San Diego rather than overlapping directly in FFCU's LA/Inland Empire footprint.

Emerging players

• Alliant Credit Union: Digital-first credit union serving a national community field of membership with strong online/mobile banking. Comparable credit union structure with focus on member value, but emphasizes digital acquisition versus FFCU's community-led GTM.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/first-financial-creditunion

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about First Financial Credit Union