Financial Planning

Plan | Grow | Protect

FFCCU has partnered with Nichole Coyle and Patrick McDonough, Financial Advisors with Cetera Advisor Networks as a benefit to our members. These advisors provide one-on-one attention and help prepare you for all of life’s financial needs. Best of all, you can meet with our partners from Cetera at any of our branch locations. You may also check the background of this firm and the background of this investment professional on FINRA’s BrokerCheck.

KUDOS!

Clicked the “Live Chat” button, asked my question, got my answer literally within a minute. THIS is what support from a banking institution should be like. Thanks so much for your help!

-Ryan M.

Thanks to Karen for helping me via Live Chat. She noticed I wasn’t using my account to my advantage and offered me a suggestion to do so. You rock! Appreciate the chat feature and have used it often.

-Gigi

I would like to say a special thanks to Joy for taking the time to help me open up an FFCCU savings and checking account. She was very patient, and polite, and, most of all, helpful.

-Tracy M. H.

Thank you to Tonja, who was very professional, organized, and helpful in processing a refinance. The entire team has been the best experience in service out there.

-Dan F.

Love working with FFCCU – personal, motorcycle, and R.V. loans – they’ve got you covered, and it’s easy. We’ll be doing a lot more business in the future and recommend others do the same.

-Jason C.

Our Financial Service Rep, spoke with the travel agency directly to ensure payment for our dream vacation made the deadline. The process reaffirmed that FFCCU is the best credit union for us!

-The Freeborns

Margaret at the West Side branch was great. We had a good time finishing up my new motorcycle loan. I appreciate her reminding me to make sure I adjust my direct deposit for the new loan.

-John & Cindi

I needed a new vehicle loan, and FFCCU beat other interest rates so dramatically it was a no “brainer.” I was so happy with the service I am switching all of my checking and savings over. Kudos...

-Amy B.

Wow!!! You give me the best customer service!!! I’m an 8-year Member and can say my Credit Union performs like nothing else. They take such a personal interest in all my issues, great and small.

-David W.

Randa went above and beyond to help my 16-year-old get onto her mobile app. She was so helpful and kind. She is definitely #peoplehelpingpeople and #CUDifference!

-Donna P.

Melissa G. & Abby F. are the BESSSSSSSSTTTTTTT!! They helped me beyond the call of duty AND were super pleasant about it. My experiences at FFCCU are good, and these two are great!!

-William M.

Beth at our Firefighters Community Credit Union branch location is the best! She took great care of us and was a step ahead of the whole process. Kudos to her for going above and beyond for a member!!

-Sandi K.

More Kudos!

Cetera Can Offer the Following Services:

Financial Planning:

Mutual Funds*, REITs and UITs*, Stocks and Bonds*, Government Securities*, Tax Deferred Variable Annuities*, Variable Universal Life*, Fee-based Financial Planning*, Retirement Planning, Lump Sum Retirement Rollovers and Traditional and Roth IRAs

Asset Preservation and Medicaid Planning:

Confused by Medicaid law? That’s the primary cause of asset loss and impoverishment among seniors needing long-term care. Take advantage of the education and planning available through Cetera Advisor Networks, so you won’t needlessly deplete your entire life savings in an attempt to become eligible for Medicaid.

Tax-deferred Annuities:

Tax-deferred annuities are offered by insurance carriers. One advantage is tax-deferred growth, regardless of your tax bracket or your earned income. Second, they also bypass probate and pass directly to a beneficiary in the event of the owner’s death. Third, a variety of annuities let you choose between the features of a fixed annuity, the growth potential of an indexed annuity, and the mutual fund-like features of a variable annuity. Finally, Tax Deferred Annuities now offer Lifetime Income Benefit Riders for members and their spouses*. Let a Cetera Advisor help you to decide which is appropriate for you.

Retirement Strategizing:

Need help planning ahead for your future? Cetera Advisors provide the education and advisory services to meet your retirement needs. They provide pre- and post-retirement planning and guidance with PLOP and DROP payout options. They can offer financial advice on Deferred Comp, 401(k), and 457 rollover options.

Insurance Planning:

As Independent Insurance Agents, our Cetera Representatives can shop for the best coverage for you out of the numerous carriers they represent. This ensures you’ll get the policy best suited for you at competitive prices. No need to shop around! The types of policies available include: Term Life Insurance, Permanent Life Insurance, Disability Insurance, Mortgage Protection Life, Mortgage Protection Disability, Accident, Long-Term Care, Medicare Supplement, Individual Health Plans and Wealth Transfer Policies

Estate Planning:

Cetera Advisor Networks works with attorneys who can help identify which type of estate planning is right for you. Wills, trusts, powers of attorney, living wills and more can be drafted on your behalf. Planners can help coordinate the funding of trusts and change beneficiaries, where necessary, to ensure your wishes coordinate with your documents. Fees are reasonable and are always quoted before you agree to engage an attorney. Consult your legal or tax counsel for advice and information concerning your particular circumstances. Neither Cetera Advisor Networks nor any of its representatives may give legal or tax advice.

Registered Representatives of Cetera Advisor Networks LLC may only conduct business with residents of the states and/or jurisdictions in which they are properly registered. Not all products and services referenced on this site may be available in every state and through every advisor listed. For additional information please contact the advisor(s) listed on the site, visit the Cetera Advisor Networks LLC site at www.ceteraadvisornetworks.com. View Cetera Privacy Promise. Other important info here. View the Business Continuity Plan.

*Securities and investment advisory services offered through Cetera Advisor Networks LLC, member FINRA / SIPC, a broker/dealer and a Registered Investment Adviser. Cetera is under separate ownership from any other named entity. (Firm-approved alternative non-affiliated disclosure may be used in place of this statement). This site is published for residents of the United States only. Registered Representatives of Cetera Advisor Networks LLC may only conduct business with residents of the states and/or jurisdictions in which they are properly registered. Not all of the products and services referenced on this site may be available in every state and through every advisor listed. For additional information please contact the advisor(s) listed on the site, visit the Cetera Advisor Networks LLC site at www.ceteraadvisornetworks.com.

Bill Deighton

Bill has over 40 years of experience in credit unions and previously served as Chair of the Board of Directors for 30 years. Bill is a retired Captain of the Cleveland Fire Department. Along with his credit union experience, he has served for 16 years on the Ohio Police and Fire Pension Fund Board. He believes that credit unions are powered by providing the best customer service to members. Bill volunteers at St. Ambrose Parish and the Fire Museum renovation. Bill and his wife live in Brunswick and have two grown children.

Anthony Missig

Tony is honored to have been the current Board Director since 1999. He has been a credit union member of Cleveland Fire Fighter since 1988. Tony graduated with a BA degree in Business from Hiram College and an MBA from Baldwin Wallace College. He is currently an Assistant Chief with the Cleveland Fire Department.

Ben Laurendeau

Ben Laurendeau has been employed in the credit union industry since 1987 in a variety of positions. Ben has held the position of President/CEO with Firefighters Community Credit Union since January of 2005. Ben holds an Associate Degree in Accounting from Terra Community College, A Bachelor Degree in Accounting from Tiffin University and a Master of Business Administration Degree from Baldwin Wallace University. Ben serves as a Director on the Ohio Credit Union League Services Corporation Board and serves on the Ohio Credit Union League Audit Committee.

Gary D. Arbeznik

Gary is a lifelong resident of Greater Cleveland and has been a member of the Board of Directors since 2018. Many of his family members have served in the Cleveland Fire department and are long-time members of FFCCU. Gary holds a BA from Columbia College and a JD g from Cleveland State University. He has worked for both Cuyahoga County and the US Attorney’s office in Cleveland during his legal career. Now retired, Gary and his wife live in Lakewood.

Barbara McCullough

Barb is a current Board Director of FFCCU and a fully vested member. She has an MBA in Finance and has spent 25 years teaching to all walks of life. Barb is a volunteer with the Foundation for Geauga Parks, Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Lorain County Spirit of America, and Girl Scouts of Northeast Ohio. Barb is a lifelong resident of the Cleveland area. She and her husband have one daughter.

Alyssa Garcia Evanoff

Alyssa Garcia Evanoff joined Firefighters Community Credit Union as the Chief Marketing Officer in February 2019. Alyssa has nearly two decades of experience in brand management and strategic marketing with a variety of organizations across the Greater Cleveland area. During her career, she has developed successful marketing and creative campaigns that have repositioned brand image and increased brand loyalty through emerging digital trends, content marketing and user experience strategy. Alyssa is a graduate of Miami University and sits on the board of the Cleveland chapter of the American Advertising Federation.

Jessica Bittner

Jessica Bittner joined FFCCU as a teller in 2009. In 2012 she was promoted to branch manager, and has managed multiple branches throughout the credit union. Jessica holds a Bachelors in Human Resource Management & Business Management, with a minor in accounting from Baldwin Wallace University. She was promoted to COO in 2021.

Kathleen Riggs

Kathleen Riggs joined FFCCU as Chief Retail Officer in 2013. Kathy has been in the financial services industry for over 25 years, holding a variety of positions. Kathleen received her bachelors degree in psychology from Kent State University and is a certified trainer of CUNA’s Creating Member Loyalty program.

Paul Humphrey

Paul Humphrey was born and raised in Northeast Ohio. He joined FFCCU in 2017 as the Chief Lending Officer. Paul is a graduate of Kent State University. He holds the designation of Certified Credit Union Financial Counselor (CCUFC) from CUNA. Paul has managed lending programs in both small and large credit unions and brings that unique perspective to serve the members of FFCCU.

John Carrick

John Carrick is the Chief Financial Officer of Firefighters Community Credit Union in Cleveland, Ohio. John was hired by Greater Cleveland Firefighters Credit Union (former name of Firefighters Community Credit Union) as an Accounting Assistant in February 1993, was promoted to acting CFO in 1995, and was awarded the position of CFO in 1996. John has assisted in the acquisition of multiple mergers for Firefighters Community Credit Union and has managed two different Merging Credit Unions during the merger process. John is a former member of the Audit Committee of the Cleveland Chapter of the Ohio Credit Union League. John holds a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from Cleveland State University.

Dennis Corrigan

Dennis has been a member of the Board of Directors since 2017. He is invested in forming bonds between the Credit Union and the community and helping members improve their economic situations. He has a strong desire to have a voice in the decision-making process of an institution that he was raised with and believes in. Dennis has been a part of the Cleveland Fire Department for 25 years and is currently a Captain. Dennis and his wife live in the Cleveland area with their three children.

Damian Borkowski

Damian has served on the Board of Directors for over 10 years. He has been the Citywide Service Manager for the City of Cleveland since 1983 and manages the demolition of houses and buildings. He holds degrees in Law and Engineering and is a member of the Ohio Bar. Damian lives with his wife in the Cleveland area. He has been a credit union member for 30 years.

Rich Bowman

Rich serves as the Chair of the Board of Directors and has been a board member since 2009. He has been a Cleveland Firefighter since 1989 and is presently a Battalion Chief serving the city’s lower west side. Rich is a founding member and Treasurer of the Firefighters Memorial Ride. Since their inception in 2004, they have donated over $250,000 to the families of fallen Fire, Police, and EMS workers. He has a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration with a minor in Finance from Cleveland State University.

James E. Polk

James is the Vice-Chair of the Board of Directors and has served on the Board since 1982. He has also held the position of Secretary. Jim is a retired Cleveland Firefighter after 30 years of service. He is the past treasurer of Fire Fighters Local 93 and served on the Union Executive Board for 18 years. Jim is also a former Worker’s Compensation Representative for Local 93 and the NOFF.

Bryan Gallagher

Bryan has served on the FFCCU Board of Directors since 2006 and looks forward to continuing to help the credit union move forward and provide quality services to members. Born and raised in Cleveland, Bryan and his wife live in Lakewood and have three grown children. He holds a degree in Communications from Cleveland State University and spent 40-years as a cameraman for the MLB and NBA. After 33 years, he retired as a Captain from the Cleveland Fire Department. He is a former Sergeant at Arms for Local 93 IAFF and was Secretary for the Firefighters Memorial.

Robert Schwind

Bob is a lifelong Cleveland resident and has been a member of FFCCU since 1993. He has served on the FFCCU board since 2019. Bob is a graduate of Cleveland State University and has served as a Cleveland firefighter for the past 28 years, becoming a lieutenant in 2002. He and his wife live in Cleveland and have two grown daughters.

James Andrews, Jr.

Jim has been a credit union member for over 40 years and has served on the Board of Directors since 2012. He has been a Cleveland Firefighter for 29 years, currently stationed at Engine Company 13. James has served on the Cleveland Firefighters Relief Fund board and was a former Union Steward and Committee Member for Firefighters Local 93. He and his wife have three children.