Teammate Times
Last updated: 4/29/2026
Let’s Talk About IT – Troubleshooting 101
Something not working right? Did you restart?
Restarting your computer helps by clearing RAM (temporary memory), resetting crashed processes or programs, and restarting network and other connections. In other words, restarting gives your computer and your connection a fresh start.
Power or internet issue? Check connections, including internet, power cords, and battery backup
Still not working? For sites with a status page, check to make sure there isn’t a reported outage or problem, or just ask the folks around you if they’re experiencing anything similar.
Still nothing? – Okay, time to e-mail HelpIT@ffcommunity.com.
When e-mailing HelpIT, please include the following for quicker and more efficient assistance
- Description of issue, including device name, program, or system, and whether others at your location are experiencing something similar
- Screenshots of the error message or any other information being displayed
March was another good month. Here’s how we look ¼ of the way through the year…
ROA – Goal .73% or more (Independent of the Bonus Accrual)
The Net Income for March was not bad considering we had a pretty high month of Provision for Loan Loss expense ($151K). March was the lowest month for Net Income so far. It was $190,600 which gives us $664,000 already this year. This projects to an ROA of .86%. This did come down from last month because we earned less than we had in the first two months but we’re still projecting well above the goal.
Delinquency – Goal 1.00%(avg) or less
March delinquency jumped up a little from February. The ratio for the month was .77%. ($1.93M of DQ loan balances divided by total loans of $249.2M). Since the rate for the month was just about the average through February, our average through 3 months remained at .75%.
Charge Offs – Goal .50% or less
Charge-offs were higher than our average so far this year. We charged-off $83,000. Our average month is $77,000. Recoveries were a bit lower than average ($12,700 versus the avg. of $19,500). Since the net c/o amount was higher than normal, our ratio did increase from .25% to .28%. Still in very good shape though.
Net Operating Expense ratio – Goal 2.79% or less (Independent of the Bonus Accrual)
We had a slight improvement in the ratio; it came down from 2.74% to 2.73%. There really wasn’t anything that took place in March that moved the ratio one way or the other. Pretty stable activity and very close to budget.
Loan Growth – Goal 3.00% or more
We had another good month of loan volume. We disbursed 220 loans for $8.3M which led to an increase in balances of $625K from the end of February. We grew a little in Second Mortgages but most of the volume was in participation loans again. That category grew $2.1M. If not for that business, we would not have grown as both direct and indirect vehicle lending has been a struggle. We are doing some but the amount of paydowns and payoffs is more than the amount of new loans. The growth in March puts us at 1.18% so far this year.
Loan/Share – Goal 78.00% or more
Share balances decreased $1M in March and that coupled with the loan growth of $625K, our Loan/Share ratio increased to 78.19%. This puts us above the goal for now but, keep in mind, shares will fluctuate from month to month because of how the calendar falls, so we could bounce between being above and below the goal many times this year.
Thanks, John.
Recently, we’ve had a few members come into unexpected money. Receiving an inheritance or financial windfall can feel overwhelming. For many people, it’s the largest sum of money they’ve ever been responsible for and the decisions made in the first few months can have a lasting impact. Whether it’s $20,000, $200,000, or more, the smartest first move is almost always the same: slow down. Parking the funds in a savings account or short-term certificate while getting a financial plan in place protects the money while giving the member time to make thoughtful decisions rather than emotional ones.
A good financial planner can help a member think through the full picture: paying off high-interest debt, funding an emergency reserve, investing for long-term goals, and understanding any tax implications of the inheritance. There’s no one-size-fits-all answer, and that’s exactly the point. Every member’s situation is different, and a personalized plan ensures the windfall becomes lasting financial security rather than a missed opportunity.
If a member mentions receiving an inheritance, settling an estate, or coming into a lump sum, that’s a meaningful moment to connect them with a financial planner. They may not know where to start, and a warm introduction from someone they already trust makes all the difference.
“It sounds like you have some important decisions ahead. Our financial planner works with members in exactly this situation, would it be helpful if I schedule a short intro call with her?”
Nichole Coyle, CFP®, CSLP®
Financial Planner
Cetera Advisor Networks LLC
Located at: Firefighters Community Credit Union
2300 St Clair Ave NE Cleveland, OH 44114
216.621.4644 x1607 office
330.607.2213 mobile
Investment Advisor Representative offering advisory services and securities through Cetera Advisor Networks LLC, a Broker-Dealer and Registered Investment Advisor, Member FINRA/SIPC. Cetera is under separate ownership from any other named entity.
Cetera is not affiliated with the financial institution where investment services are offered. Investments are: Not FDIC/NCUSIF insured * May lose value * Not financial institution guaranteed * Not a deposit * Not insured by a federal government agency.
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Congratulations to our most recent MVT winner, Melissa over at Emerald.
Ignite My Future Scholarship Winners
FOLLOW THE YELLOW BRICK ROAD TO HOME EQUITY
We are kicking off one of our most visible and fun campaigns of the year. From May 1 through July 31, FFCCU will bring a little magic to our branches with the 2026 Home Equity Promotion. The goal is to spark conversations, drive applications, and create a memorable experience for both members and teammates.
WHAT IS HAPPENING
This year’s campaign transports us to the Wonderful World of Oz, inspired by the original book. Each branch has been assigned a unique character to bring to life. The goal is simple. Turn every branch into an experience that gets members talking and teammates engaged.
You will see the campaign show up everywhere including email, social media, digital signage, and the website. Most importantly, it will come to life inside our branches. This is where we can make the biggest impact.
WHAT THIS MEANS FOR YOUR BRANCH
Each branch will receive materials to help create an immersive setup including a cardboard house, photo booth props, and yellow brick wall decals. You will also have a small budget to get creative and make your theme stand out.
Here is where your team comes in. Transform your lobby into your assigned character theme. Set up a photo ready space for team and member engagement. Add yellow brick stickers as loans are approved to show progress. Capture and share photos with Marketing.
This is more than decorations. It is a conversation starter. Every interaction is an opportunity to connect a member’s needs to home equity.
