Forms
of ID

The first time you open an account as a customer with First Federal you will need to bring in one primary and one secondary form of ID. All forms of ID must be unexpired.

Primary forms of ID

  • State driver’s license
  • State ID card
  • U.S. military ID card
  • Passport
  • License to carry concealed weapon
  • Permanent resident card
  • Passport card

Secondary forms of ID

  • Photo employee ID card
  • Student ID card
  • Credit cards (VISA, MasterCard, Discover, Sears, etc.)
  • Current utility bill from the customer's residence
  • Social security card
  • Birth certificate
  • Automobile registration
  • Bank pr credit card statement
  • Current pay stub
  • Medicare card issued by SSA
  • Social security # verification notice issued by SSA
  • Social security rep payee appointment notice issued by SSA
  • Current U.S. tax returns
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What you need to apply

Documents needed

  • Paystubs (last 30 days)
  • W-2s (last 2 years)
  • Tax returns (last 2 years)
  • Bank statements (last 3 months)
  • Mortgage statement
  • Stocks, bonds, 401ks, IRAs
  • Other real estate (tax and insurance info)
  • Rental agreement (if applicable)
  • Separation or divorce decree (if applicable)

For a refinance add
(Providing these items may reduce your closing costs)

  • Title policy
  • Copy of survey
  • Homeowners insurance policy
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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

  • Sarah R. Wallace  - Board Chair
  • Sally Wallace Heckman - President & CEO
  • Michael O'Brien - Chief Financial Officer
  • John T. Compton - Senior Vice President
  • R. Brian Murray - Senior Vice President
  • Scot O. Evans - Vice President, Loan Officer
  • Charity S. McFarland - Vice President, Deposit Sales and Services
  • Tina L. Franks - Vice President, BSA, CIP, OFAC
  • Jennifer Byrd - Assistant Vice President, Operations
  • Charlotte K. Blade - Assistant Vice President, Loan Officer
  • Misty L. Boyce - Assistant Vice President, Retail Deposit Operations
  • Chase Ghiloni - Vice President, Marketing
  • Amy J. Gardner - Assistant BSA Officer, Fraud Security Officer
  • Steven W. Fleetwood - Vice President, Information Technology and Security
  • Nicole L. Mayabb - Training and Compliance
  • Jennifer L. Topper - Assistant Vice President
  • Ryan D. West - Vice President, Loan Officer
  • Matt McKenzie - Assistant Vice President, Loan Officer
  • Kelli Hunt - Loan Officer
  • Rachel Scouler - Loan Closing Manager
  • Stacey Aldridge - Loan Closing Officer
  • Carter Hall - Commercial Credit Analyst, CFHC

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 receive its ninth consecutive Columbus CEO Top Workplaces award, recognizing the continued commitment to employee training and well-being. 

2023

Celebrating 89 years
$250 million and growing

In our 89th year in business, First Federal is going strong with over $250 million in assets and a commitment to serving the community to drive its growth and success.