Advantage Checking

Advantage Checking from FFCCU is designed with real people, like you, in mind. With a qualified account, you can earn 2.00% Annual Percentage Yield* (APY) on your average daily balance between $500-$24,999. PLUS, receive free unlimited POS/ATM withdrawals and NO monthly maintenance fees or penalties if requirements aren’t met.

KUDOS!

The entire team answering the electronic messages is outstanding. I’m hearing impaired and have trouble with voice calls. Jashira, LeeAnn, Jessica, and Karen have been wonderful in helping me through...

-Denny J.

Our Financial Service Rep spoke with the travel agency directly to ensure payment for our dream vacation made the deadline. The process reaffirmed that FFCCU is the best credit union for us!

-The Freeborns

Once again, great service here! My membership goes back almost 40 years with Firefighters Community Credit Union. Never a disappointment.

-Dave

I’d like to give Kudos to Sue Whitt!! She always made herself available to answer phone calls, was prompt in providing documents in a way convenient to my work schedule, and found an expedited resolut...

-Frank D.

FFCCU made wrapping up my new car loan as easy as anyone could ever hope! What more can you ask for?! Thanks, Firefighters Community Credit Union, always!

-Dawn B.

Thanks to Karen for helping me via Live Chat. She noticed I wasn’t using my account to my advantage and offered me a suggestion to do so. You rock! Appreciate the chat feature and have used it often.

-Gigi

I’ve been a long-time member but have never used the chat feature until today. Karen B was so nice and helpful- answered all my questions and was very personable. I’ve always received great service at...

-Erin S.

Thank you to LeeAnn, for the prompt response to my online question. Our family has benefited from over 30 years of outstanding service with Firefighters Community Credit Union.

-Jeffery K.

Every one of my questions about the Ignite checking account were answered! This credit union is one of my favorites; there is such a calming environment when you enter. Staff is so helpful!!

-Jacob O.

Thank you to Tonja, who was very professional, organized, and helpful in processing a refinance. The entire team has been the best experience in service out there.

-Dan F.

Jashira was very nice and courteous! She resolved my issue immediately and asked if she could assist me further. I appreciated the great service and the desire to do more in addressing my concerns!

-Cynthia O.

I give Kudos to the entire awesome credit union staff – especially to Karen, LeeAnn, Jashira, and Beverly. Excellent service! I am so glad to be a member.

-Maxine J.

More Kudos!

Want to Earn 2.00% APY*? Here’s How:

STEP ONE

Enroll in
e-Statements

Enroll here

STEP TWO

Direct deposit at
least $500 per month

Set it up here

FINALLY

Use your VISA® Debit Card for 12 or more signature-based transactions per month

Track your status here

Advantage checking also offers ease and accessibility with these features:

ATM and VISA^®Debit Cards
More than 35,000 ATMs
FREE Mobile App
Easy and free bill pay options
FREE online banking
No minimum balance

Our Rates

As of April 15, 2024

Account Type	Balance	APY*
ADVANTAGE Checking*	$500-$24,999.99	2.00%
	$25,000+	0.01%

*APY = Annual Percentage Yield. Get unlimited ATM withdrawals and earn 2.00% APY when your average daily balance is between $500-24,999.99 when you meet the following requirements: 12 or more VISA Debit Card signature-based transactions posted to your account each month, enrolled in e-Statements and have direct deposit totaling $500 or more within the same month. Earn .01% on the remaining portion of your balance over $25,000.00. ATM fees charged by FFCCU are refunded at the end of the month. Only one Advantage Checking account per member. Account is subject to approval. Call 800.621.4644 for current rates as they are subject to change at any time and without notice.

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Bill Deighton

Bill has over 40 years of experience in credit unions and previously served as Chair of the Board of Directors for 30 years. Bill is a retired Captain of the Cleveland Fire Department. Along with his credit union experience, he has served for 16 years on the Ohio Police and Fire Pension Fund Board. He believes that credit unions are powered by providing the best customer service to members. Bill volunteers at St. Ambrose Parish and the Fire Museum renovation. Bill and his wife live in Brunswick and have two grown children.

Anthony Missig

Tony is honored to have been the current Board Director since 1999. He has been a credit union member of Cleveland Fire Fighter since 1988. Tony graduated with a BA degree in Business from Hiram College and an MBA from Baldwin Wallace College. He is currently an Assistant Chief with the Cleveland Fire Department.

Ben Laurendeau

Ben Laurendeau has been employed in the credit union industry since 1987 in a variety of positions. Ben has held the position of President/CEO with Firefighters Community Credit Union since January of 2005. Ben holds an Associate Degree in Accounting from Terra Community College, A Bachelor Degree in Accounting from Tiffin University and a Master of Business Administration Degree from Baldwin Wallace University. Ben serves as a Director on the Ohio Credit Union League Services Corporation Board and serves on the Ohio Credit Union League Audit Committee.

Gary D. Arbeznik

Gary is a lifelong resident of Greater Cleveland and has been a member of the Board of Directors since 2018. Many of his family members have served in the Cleveland Fire department and are long-time members of FFCCU. Gary holds a BA from Columbia College and a JD g from Cleveland State University. He has worked for both Cuyahoga County and the US Attorney’s office in Cleveland during his legal career. Now retired, Gary and his wife live in Lakewood.

Barbara McCullough

Barb is a current Board Director of FFCCU and a fully vested member. She has an MBA in Finance and has spent 25 years teaching to all walks of life. Barb is a volunteer with the Foundation for Geauga Parks, Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Lorain County Spirit of America, and Girl Scouts of Northeast Ohio. Barb is a lifelong resident of the Cleveland area. She and her husband have one daughter.

Alyssa Garcia Evanoff

Alyssa Garcia Evanoff joined Firefighters Community Credit Union as the Chief Marketing Officer in February 2019. Alyssa has nearly two decades of experience in brand management and strategic marketing with a variety of organizations across the Greater Cleveland area. During her career, she has developed successful marketing and creative campaigns that have repositioned brand image and increased brand loyalty through emerging digital trends, content marketing and user experience strategy. Alyssa is a graduate of Miami University and sits on the board of the Cleveland chapter of the American Advertising Federation.

Jessica Bittner

Jessica Bittner joined FFCCU as a teller in 2009. In 2012 she was promoted to branch manager, and has managed multiple branches throughout the credit union. Jessica holds a Bachelors in Human Resource Management & Business Management, with a minor in accounting from Baldwin Wallace University. She was promoted to COO in 2021.

Kathleen Riggs

Kathleen Riggs joined FFCCU as Chief Retail Officer in 2013. Kathy has been in the financial services industry for over 25 years, holding a variety of positions. Kathleen received her bachelors degree in psychology from Kent State University and is a certified trainer of CUNA’s Creating Member Loyalty program.

Paul Humphrey

Paul Humphrey was born and raised in Northeast Ohio. He joined FFCCU in 2017 as the Chief Lending Officer. Paul is a graduate of Kent State University. He holds the designation of Certified Credit Union Financial Counselor (CCUFC) from CUNA. Paul has managed lending programs in both small and large credit unions and brings that unique perspective to serve the members of FFCCU.

John Carrick

John Carrick is the Chief Financial Officer of Firefighters Community Credit Union in Cleveland, Ohio. John was hired by Greater Cleveland Firefighters Credit Union (former name of Firefighters Community Credit Union) as an Accounting Assistant in February 1993, was promoted to acting CFO in 1995, and was awarded the position of CFO in 1996. John has assisted in the acquisition of multiple mergers for Firefighters Community Credit Union and has managed two different Merging Credit Unions during the merger process. John is a former member of the Audit Committee of the Cleveland Chapter of the Ohio Credit Union League. John holds a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from Cleveland State University.

Dennis Corrigan

Dennis has been a member of the Board of Directors since 2017. He is invested in forming bonds between the Credit Union and the community and helping members improve their economic situations. He has a strong desire to have a voice in the decision-making process of an institution that he was raised with and believes in. Dennis has been a part of the Cleveland Fire Department for 25 years and is currently a Captain. Dennis and his wife live in the Cleveland area with their three children.

Damian Borkowski

Damian has served on the Board of Directors for over 10 years. He has been the Citywide Service Manager for the City of Cleveland since 1983 and manages the demolition of houses and buildings. He holds degrees in Law and Engineering and is a member of the Ohio Bar. Damian lives with his wife in the Cleveland area. He has been a credit union member for 30 years.

Rich Bowman

Rich serves as the Chair of the Board of Directors and has been a board member since 2009. He has been a Cleveland Firefighter since 1989 and is presently a Battalion Chief serving the city’s lower west side. Rich is a founding member and Treasurer of the Firefighters Memorial Ride. Since their inception in 2004, they have donated over $250,000 to the families of fallen Fire, Police, and EMS workers. He has a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration with a minor in Finance from Cleveland State University.

James E. Polk

James is the Vice-Chair of the Board of Directors and has served on the Board since 1982. He has also held the position of Secretary. Jim is a retired Cleveland Firefighter after 30 years of service. He is the past treasurer of Fire Fighters Local 93 and served on the Union Executive Board for 18 years. Jim is also a former Worker’s Compensation Representative for Local 93 and the NOFF.

Bryan Gallagher

Bryan has served on the FFCCU Board of Directors since 2006 and looks forward to continuing to help the credit union move forward and provide quality services to members. Born and raised in Cleveland, Bryan and his wife live in Lakewood and have three grown children. He holds a degree in Communications from Cleveland State University and spent 40-years as a cameraman for the MLB and NBA. After 33 years, he retired as a Captain from the Cleveland Fire Department. He is a former Sergeant at Arms for Local 93 IAFF and was Secretary for the Firefighters Memorial.

Robert Schwind

Bob is a lifelong Cleveland resident and has been a member of FFCCU since 1993. He has served on the FFCCU board since 2019. Bob is a graduate of Cleveland State University and has served as a Cleveland firefighter for the past 28 years, becoming a lieutenant in 2002. He and his wife live in Cleveland and have two grown daughters.

James Andrews, Jr.

Jim has been a credit union member for over 40 years and has served on the Board of Directors since 2012. He has been a Cleveland Firefighter for 29 years, currently stationed at Engine Company 13. James has served on the Cleveland Firefighters Relief Fund board and was a former Union Steward and Committee Member for Firefighters Local 93. He and his wife have three children.