A Letter From Our CEO
The standard is accuracy, not perfection
On March 2nd, Family 1st members became First Choice members. This was a monumental undertaking. Due to time constraints and various factors outside of our control, the merger was accelerated.
Overall, it was a tremendous success from the members’ perspective. That is not to say there were no problems. There are still a few minor, lingering issues that we are actively addressing. Rest assured, our goal remains the same: to serve our members to the best of our ability and assist them with their financial lives.
As you review your statements, some of you may notice a double billing of insurance premiums that impacted certain loans. This billing occurred on March 9th, and all premiums have been refunded. This issue will have no lasting impact on members.
Due to a programming error, many of the Family 1st automatic payments were processed from savings accounts instead of checking accounts. If funds were available at the credit union, no items were returned; however, a transfer fee was automatically assessed. We have identified and corrected this issue and refunded all transfer fees. All members have been made whole.
There were also minor online banking issues, with some accounts not initially displaying properly.
For any inconvenience you may have experienced, I sincerely apologize. It was never our intention to cause harm or frustration. We truly appreciate your kindness as we worked to identify, escalate, and resolve these issues.
At times, initial solutions do not fully address the underlying problem. We wanted to ensure we fully understood the scope of each issue so that we could resolve it completely. This sometimes required more time, and we are grateful for your patience.
While every team member has worked hard to meet individual needs, I would like to especially recognize our newest addition to the First Choice family, Joanne Wooley.
Joanne has been a mainstay at Family 1st for many years, and she brings with her not only exceptional talent, but a genuine heart for people that you can feel the moment you meet her. She has quickly become a favorite among our members – and we completely understand why. We are grateful to have her with us.
I would also be remiss if I did not recognize our CFO, Bill Wehr. Bill has carried an incredible amount of responsibility throughout this process, and he has done so with quiet strength, steady leadership, and unwavering commitment. Much of this merger rested on his shoulders, and he never once sought recognition – he simply did the work that needed to be done.
Quite honestly, there is no way we could have accomplished this without him. His experience, his dedication, and his heart for this organization have made all the difference.
It continues to be an honor and a privilege to serve this community and all of our members!
If you continue to experience any issues, please let us know. We are here to help and want you to experience the best that First Choice has to offer.
Think I should get the bigger one?
Tax refunds, and what they could mean to you
For many people, a tax refund feels like a bonus. It shows up all at once, and for a moment, it feels like extra money.
But the truth is – it’s money, returned to you. And that means you have a great opportunity to make a thoughtful decision about what to do with it. Before you spend it, it’s worth asking one simple question:
“What would help me the most right now?”
Start With Stability
If you don’t already have an emergency fund, this is one of the best places to begin.
Life has a way of surprising us: car repairs, medical bills, even a new Banana-flavored menu at Dunkin… unexpected expenses. Even setting aside a small portion of your refund can create a cushion that brings peace of mind… and who doesn’t need that?
Reduce Debt Where You Can
If you’re carrying high-interest debt, especially credit cards, using part of your refund to pay it down can make a real difference. It may not feel as exciting as spending, but it can free up future income and reduce financial stress. The few dollars more you make on each monthly payment really helps to reduce the interest you have to pay back. Future you will appreciate that.
Catch Up or Get Ahead
Take care of something you’ve been putting off. Sometimes the best use of money is simply creating breathing room. Get ahead on some monthly expenses. Invest in your home. Plan for the rain.
Not every dollar has to go toward responsibility
It’s okay to set aside a portion for something meaningful:
- A family experience
- A home improvement
- A personal goal you’ve been working toward
The key is to be intentional – not impulsive. Postpone that purchase for a week and see if it still makes sense.
A Simple Approach
If you’re still unsure of where to start, try this breakdown:
- 50% toward needs (debt, bills, savings)
- 30% toward future goals
- 20% toward something you enjoy
There’s no perfect formula – but having a plan helps you stay in control.
A tax refund is an opportunity. Not just to spend, but to strengthen your financial position, reduce stress, and move forward with intention.
At First Choice, we’re here to help you make the most of every opportunity – big or small.
Who can join First Choice?
Anyone who lives, works, learns, worships or volunteers in Lawrence County Pennsylvania can become a member of the First Choice Federal Credit Union family!
Protecting Yourself
The Latest Scams Impacting Members
Fraud is not new – but it is changing.
Today’s scams are more sophisticated, more personal, and often harder to detect than ever before. In many cases, scammers are no longer relying on obvious mistakes or poorly written emails. They are using advanced technology to sound convincing, look legitimate, and create a sense of urgency that pressures people into acting quickly.
The goal of a fraudster is simple: to gain your trust long enough to access your information or your money.
Here are some of the most common scams we are seeing right now and what you can do to protect yourself.
Impersonation Scams (Calls, Texts, and Emails)
Scammers are increasingly posing as a financial, the IRS, or other trusted organizations. They may call, text, or email you claiming:
- You owe money or must act immediately
- Urgent or threatening language
- Requests for passwords, PINs, or verification codes
- Pressure to act immediately
Important reminder: We will never contact you and ask for your password, PIN, or secure access codes. If one of our partners calls to verify transactions on a card, they will supply the last digits of the card, they will NEVER request or even accept your account or debit card number.
“Protective Transfer” or Payment Scams
One of the fastest-growing scams involves convincing members to move their own money. You may be told:
- Your account has been compromised.
- You need to move funds to a “safe” account.
- You must send money to stop fraud
Anytime anyone asks you to convert money to a gift card… STOP. That is a tell-tale fraud technique.
Text Message (Smishing) and Email Phishing Scams
You may receive a message that looks like it’s from:
- A delivery service
- Your bank or credit union
- A government agency (PennDot, IRS,)
These messages often include a link asking you to “Verify your account”; “Resolve an issue”; or “Claim a refund”.
In reality, these links lead to fake websites designed to steal your information.
Phishing attacks are becoming more convincing and widespread, with billions of fraudulent messages sent each day.
AI and Deepfake Scams
One of the newest and most concerning trends involves artificial intelligence.
Scammers can now:
- Clone voices from short audio clips
- Create realistic video calls
- Imitate trusted individuals
These scams are designed to create urgency and emotional response, making them especially effective.
Check Fraud and Account Takeovers
Traditional fraud hasn’t gone away – it’s just evolving. Stolen or altered checks remain a major issue. Fraudsters may attempt to gain access to your account through stolen credentials, Check fraud alone continues to impact a majority of financial institutions.
How to Protect Yourself
While scams are becoming more advanced, the best defenses remain simple and effective:
- Slow down. Scammers rely on urgency. Take a moment to think.
- Verify directly. If something feels off, contact your credit union using a known phone number.
- Do not share sensitive information. Passwords, PINs, and codes should never be given out.
- Avoid clicking links in unexpected messages. Go directly to official websites instead.
- Trust your instincts. If something doesn’t feel right, it probably isn’t.
Scammers succeed when they create confusion, urgency, and fear. Our goal is the opposite – to provide clarity, support, and security.
At First Choice, we are continuously monitoring for fraud and working to protect your accounts. But one of the most important lines of defense is awareness.
If you ever receive a suspicious call, text, or email – or if something just doesn’t feel right – please reach out to us. We are here to help.
Visit The First Choice Fraud & Scam Prevention Center
Oh that’s where I have seen her before
New faces, familiar faces
I grew up in this town. It has been my home for most of my life, and I am proud of this place and our community.
Is it the greatest city ever? Probably not.
Do we have the best weather? Absolutely not.
But I truly love the people here. I have had the great fortune of meeting some of the most wonderful people in this community. Despite the fact that we now live in a global society – where technology has shrunk the world to fit in the palm of our hands – genuine human connection will never be replaced. Knowing how much someone truly cares for you, and about you, still matters.
As many of you know, I come from a long line of bankers. Many in my family have served in some aspect of personal finance. I have been very fortunate to be taught and mentored by some of the best in the industry. People that taught me not only the theories and practices; but also the morality and big picture of service.
One of those individuals, someone who has served this community faithfully for many years, I am now proud to call a colleague.
Margaret “Maggie” Stroia has chosen to join our credit union. Maggie has spent her career at Dollar Savings Bank, which eventually became First National Bank. While serving in a variety of roles, she honed her most sought out skill, customer service. I know many in our community have been trying to find her.
While she brings a wealth of experience and knowledge, the real reason people seek her out is simple: they know how much she cares. They know her to be consistent, honest, and thoughtful in everything she does. It is truly our privilege to have Maggie join our team.
Please stop by and reconnect.