We are not
just any bank.
When First Federal opened its doors during the Great Depression, we forged a new way of banking, establishing a safe place for people to deposit their money and providing families with access to the home loans needed to begin rebuilding their lives and community. For 88 years, First Federal has continued working hard and pursuing excellence in service to our region.
ABOUT
A stable, well-capitalized community institution.
We are committed to being the loyal financial institution upon which people can depend for honest and reliable financial services. Going the extra mile for our customers isn’t just a cliché at First Federal, it’s a way of life driven by our passion for seeing our neighbors grow and flourish.
From home mortgage loans to retail banking services, in both challenges and celebrations, First Federal is here to help make your vision a thriving reality.
You own us.
As a mutually-owned company, we are owned by the customers who borrow and lend from First Federal. There’s no stockholders to pay, just a driving investment in building the vitality of our region.
We’re here to help you thrive.
Exceptional service is found in employee satisfaction
If you’ve ever stopped by one of our branches, you won’t be surprised to learn we are known for employee satisfaction. You can witness the passion and joy our team brings to their work every time you step into a branch. First Federal employees love their jobs, embracing challenges as an opportunity to dig deep and innovate to make your life better.
Focused on savings and loans
We relentlessly continue the services with which we first began: specializing in secure savings and home loans for families so they have the resources needed to build. We provide federally-insured deposits and customized mortgage loans in a variety of rates and terms, all customized to suit your needs.
Our Directors
Sarah Wallace
Board Chair, First Federal Savings
Sally Wallace Heckman
President and CEO, First Federal Savings
Christopher Meyer
Retired Managing Partner, Reese, Pyle, Meyer PLL
Robert Montagnese
President, Licking Memorial Health Systems
Rick Platt
President and CEO, Heath-Newark-Licking County Port Authority
Bill Weidaw, J.D., CPA
CPA and Retired Partner, Wilson, Shannon & Snow, Inc.
Randall Anstine
Retired Partner, Ernst & Young LLP
Amy Albery
CEO, Wallick Communities
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Sarah R. Wallace - Board Chair
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Sally Wallace Heckman - President & CEO
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Michael O'Brien - Chief Financial Officer
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John T. Compton - Senior Vice President
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R. Brian Murray - Senior Vice President
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Scot O. Evans - Vice President, Loan Officer
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Charity S. McFarland - Vice President, Deposit Sales and Services
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Tina L. Franks - Vice President, BSA, CIP, OFAC
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Jennifer Byrd - Assistant Vice President, Operations
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Charlotte K. Blade - Assistant Vice President, Loan Officer
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Misty L. Boyce - Assistant Vice President, Retail Deposit Operations
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Chase Ghiloni - Vice President, Marketing
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Amy J. Gardner - Assistant BSA Officer, Fraud Security Officer
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Steven W. Fleetwood - Vice President, Information Technology and Security
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Nicole L. Mayabb - Training and Compliance Officer
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Jennifer L. Topper - Assistant Vice President
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Ryan D. West - Vice President, Loan Officer
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Matt McKenzie - Assistant Vice President, Loan Officer
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Kelli Hunt - Loan Officer
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Rachel Scouler - Loan Operations Manager
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Stacey Aldridge - Loan Closing Officer
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Carter Hall - Commercial Credit Analyst, CFHC
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Zach Adams - Loan Officer
Our History
1934
First Federal opens its doors.
Providing savings and loans to the community with the charter First Federal Savings, a mutual thrift, issued to Everett D. Reese. The main office opens in downtown Newark with $159,612.43 in assets. Everett Reese continues serving as President until 1960, and as Board Chair until 1978.
1960
The end of an era.
When the founding president, Everett Reese retires, Cyrus McKinney becomes bank president and J. Gilbert Reese, Everett’s son joins as Director.
1962
Expanding our reach.
First Federal expands its regional service by opening a Granville branch.
1968
Wilson takes over.
Richard H. Wilson becomes bank president, serving until 1982. At the end of his tenure as president, Wilson continues serving as Director until his death in 1995.
1969
Reese becomes Chairman.
J. Gilbert Reese becomes Chairman of the board.
1978
New main office
The Courthouse Square main office opens.
1980
Granville moves
The Granville branch office relocates to 216 East Broadway (the current site of Donatos Pizza).
1981
2nd location in Heath
First Federal opens a second branch in Heath in the Southgate Shopping Center on RT 79. In 1990 the Heath office moved to Hebron Road.
1983
Wallace becomes President
Bank Founder Everett Reese’s granddaughter Sarah Reese Wallace becomes President of First Federal. Today, Sarah serves as Board Chair.
1999
Thompson becomes President
Paul M. Thompson takes over as bank President while Sarah Reese Wallace assumes Board Chair and her father J. Gilbert Reese becomes Board Chair- Emeritus. Thompson served as President and CEO until his retirement in 2022.
2000
First Federal expands to Gahanna
The Gahanna office opens in Beecher Crossing.
2002
Introducing debit cards
As First Federal continues innovating products to best serve customers, the first debit cards are issued to customers.
2005
North Newark opens!
The North 21st Street branch in North Newark opens.
2006
Welcome to online banking
First Federal joins the online banking world.
2011
First Federal on your phone
First Federal launches mobile banking with a mobile app for Apple and Android.
2012
Sally Wallace Heckman joins the team
Sally Wallace Heckman, Everett Reese’s great-granddaughter, joins the team at First Federal as VP of Human Resources. Sally now serves as President and CEO.
2013-2021
First Federal, a top place to work
First Federal is proud to to have received several Columbus CEO Top Workplace awards, recognizing the continued commitment to employee training and well-being.
2024
Celebrating 90 years
$270 million and growing
In our 90th year in business, First Federal is going strong with over $270 million in assets and a commitment to serving the community to drive its growth and success.