Welcome St. Joseph Medical Center Members

We are excited to welcome you as our newest First Financial Federal Credit Union members.

HomeMerger

Over the next few months, your account will be transitioned and then you will have access to everything that First Financial has to offer. We will continue to provide important information on this page as we move forward together.

About First Financial | Timeline | During Conversion | After Conversion | FAQs | Products/Services

About First Financial

Our story begins in 1953 when a group of public school teachers recognized the need for better financial options for educators. What started as a common desire to help each other borrow and save, and to make a positive difference in the community, has grown to our unrelenting focus on
making the lives of our members better.

Over the last 70 years, First Financial has grown to serve the employees and families of Baltimore, Carroll, Somerset, and Worcester County Public School systems, several local area hospitals, numerous healthcare facilities and many private school, colleges, and businesses in Maryland. 

First Financial strives to offer the very best financial products and services in order to meet the diverse needs of our members, and to help our members live better every day. Giving back to our community through countless volunteer hours and millions of dollars in grants, scholarships, and donations to support those we serve, is who we are and what we do. 

Timeline 

Check back for additional updates on your account and conversion process!

*First Financial or St. Joseph’s Medical Center will never contact you to request personal or sensitive information by phone, email, or text. Always hang up and contact us directly to confirm if the request and message are legitimate.

April 16

The merger is legally effective, however there are no changes to your current SJMC account or access. Continue to use the SJMC branch to service your account until the conversion on June 1. 

May

In early May you will receive a Welcome Kit with additional information about your accounts and the timeline of conversion. 

Later in May you’ll receive a welcome letter with important account information as well as a contact update form that we ask you to complete and mail back to us. 

June 2

The conversion is complete and you will begin to use your First Financial account number and any First Financial branch to service your account. 

You’ll receive the necessary account disclosures as well as a debit card to get cash and make debit purchases. 

Member Access During Conversion

The system conversion will begin on the evening of May 30, 2025 and continue through June 1, 2025

To assist with the final days prior to the merger the SJMC branch will be open normal business hours and on Thursday 5/29 from 8-2. After 5/29 you will not have access to ATM or debit cards, Bill Pay, Mobile Deposit, or online banking transfers. By, 6/2, all SJMC services will have been converted to First Financial Federal Credit Union and you may access your new accounts through Online, Mobile and Phone Banking. The existing SJMC branch will re-open as First Financial FCU on 6/2, and will be able to assist you
with your needs as well. In order to best prepare for the conversion, we encourage you to:

  • Review your accounts and complete any reconciliation on all your accounts by 5/30.
  • Consider how much cash you may need from 5/30 – 6/2 and make a withdrawal before the SJMC branch closes on 5/0.
  • Apply for any loans you need by 5/28. Loan applications will be taken again on 6/2.
  • St. Joseph ATM and debit cards will be shut down on 5/30. Last day to use cards is 5/29.
  • Bill Pay will shut down on 5/29
  • Mobile Deposit will shut down on 5/29
  • Online and Mobile Banking will be view only starting on 5/30. Access will remain until 6/30.
  • Final SJMC statements will be mailed after 5/31

Member Access After Conversion

Changes to Deposit Accounts + Debit Card Information

You will receive a new 10-digit account number. This number will be sent to you in your new member welcome letter which will arrive after 5/21. Any new withdrawals or direct deposits should be setup using your new account number and First Financial’s routing number 255077671. Share certificates will be transferred and all rates/terms will remain the same until the maturity date. Your account types will have new names and IDs. Refer to the chart below to help you understand the changes.

Your St. Joseph Medical Center AccountYour First Financial Account
RG – Regular SharesSavings
Share DraftComplete Checking
Christmas ClubHoliday Club*
Vacation ClubSecondary Savings
Share CertificatesShare Certificates
KidSavings
Youth SharesSavings
Minor Share DraftComplete Checking

*no annual payout, penalty free access with no limits

As part of your new First Financial FCU account, you will be receiving a Visa Debit Card in a separate mailing arriving 6/2 – 6/5. For share only accounts, your Visa Debit card functions as an ATM card. You must activate this card before using it. Once activated, you can begin using your Visa Debit Card to get cash at any First Financial or  Allpoint ATM or by selecting the cash back option when you’re making a point of sale purchase.

FAQs

Here are answers to your most burning questions.

Initially no, all information will transfer over to First Financial. However, we strongly encourage you to update to your new account # and routing # after 6/2.

Products & Service Highlights

  • Bank

    Manage and grow your money easily and safely

    Checking Accounts
    Certificates & IRAs
    Direct Deposit
    Payroll Deduction
    Savings & Money Market
    Youth and Young Adult
    Accounts
    Visa Debit Cards

  • Borrow

    Get the financing you need to achieve your goals

    Auto Loans
    Personal Loans
    Home Loans
    Visa® Credit Cards
    Student Loans
    Business Loans

  • Access

    Gain safe and secure access from home or on the go

    Online Banking
    Mobile Banking
    Mobile Deposit
    Digital Wallet
    eAlerts
    eStatements
    Bill Pay

  • Learn

    Navigate your financial journey with resources for every step of the way

    Online Education
    Financial Counseling
    Financial Planning
    Online Resource Centers
    Financial Calculators