Moss is a standard aspect of the Pacific Northwest panorama. Usually discovered on the roofs of buildings and on bushes in forests, it’s unusual for moss to cowl the within partitions of a financial institution.
However due to some artistic minds at First Fed, two of the financial institution’s Whatcom County areas – together with the soon-to-be-opened Ferndale department – now home a wall of moss within the foyer space.
At First Fed Fairhaven’s new location, which opened on July 19, moss extends the complete size of the wall simply behind the financial institution’s ticket sales space, the principle space the place prospects come to for transactions.
The First Fed Ferndale Staff poses in entrance of the brand new Fairhaven Department Moss Wall (left to proper): Jennifer Barnhart, Micah Briggs, Stacie Campion. Picture credit score: Zoe Bowen
“It is actual moss,” stated Troy Wills, First Fed’s regional retail supervisor. “Nevertheless it has been handled in order that it does not must be poured.”
The moss partitions are the brainchild of Jennifer Bolton, Senior Director of Digital Advertising and marketing at First Fed and a local of the northwest. Wills says Bolton was excited about creating an genuine, distinctive hub for patrons.
“It is a matter of dialog,” says Wills. “Banking generally is usually a formal and boring atmosphere. We need to spotlight the pure components of the Pacific Northwest and our hometowns. ”For patrons who need to really feel the surprisingly gentle wall of moss, cashiers have hands-on moss samples in the event that they so select. The brand new Ferndale department with moss wall opens for patrons on August sixteenth.
First Fed Fairhaven workforce (left to proper): Tristan Mikkelson, Kimberly Tucker, Troy Wills and Sarah Barker. Picture credit score: Zoe Bowen
The Ferndale facility will likely be First Fed’s third Whatcom County workplace and its fifteenth total. Wills says they delight themselves on offering a north-county location for each present and new prospects, particularly in an space that’s experiencing each residential and business progress.
The First Fed’s areas are a bit looser and extra open in comparison with conventional financial institution lobbies. Along with televisions, First Fed’s lobbies have a self-service espresso bar and a mini fridge with free mineral water. The Fairhaven department additionally has outside water stations for folks and their canines, a characteristic impressed by Wills’ suggestions.
Jennifer Bolton refills her water bottle on the First Fed Fairhaven water fountain. Picture credit score: Zoe Bowen
From Forks to Ferndale, First Fed’s aim is identical: to be a group financial institution with deep connections to prospects, native companies, and the group.
“At First Fed, we like to be taught extra about prospects’ private {and professional} lives,” says Wills. “We’re excited to convey our method to banking and group donation to Ferndale.”
This outreach consists of sponsorship of native occasions in addition to the First Federal Neighborhood Basis, which grants native nonprofits to help. Twice a yr, non-profit organizations can apply for funding for group tasks. As of 2015, First Fed has paid $ 800,500 to Whatcom County nonprofits, together with the YMCA, Lydia Place, Bellingham and Ferndale Meals Banks, and Blue Skies for Kids.
“It was such a rewarding feeling for us,” Wills says of the constructive affect they’ve locally. “It is fairly superior.”
The COVID-19 pandemic has made funding for nonprofits much more essential.
“We have seen a number of demand up to now 12 months,” says Wills. “The inspiration received concerned the place it may and tried to make a distinction.”
Along with endorsing native nonprofits, First Fed strongly helps causes which are essential to their staff. Because of this, the financial institution provides every worker as much as 24 paid volunteer hours in order that they really feel supported after they need to give one thing again to their group.
Another attention-grabbing issues are additionally taking place at First Fed this yr. The primary is the continued introduction of the modified branding, because the financial institution is now formally generally known as “First Fed” as a substitute of “First Federal”. The shorter title was impressed by prospects who stated the financial institution would all the time be “our first Fed”.
First Fed was additionally just lately named Finest Financial institution in State for 2021 by Forbes Journal. Primarily based on suggestions from over 25,000 Individuals on their banking relationships, solely 2.7 % of the nation’s 5,000 banks made the checklist.
Of the Washington banks, First Fed has the most important variety of Whatcom County areas, though it’s the smallest of the three.
It is simply one other instance of how nicely issues are going for a neighborhood financial institution that cares not solely about their shoppers’ investments, but additionally about their very own investments locally.
“We’re pleased with the Pacific Northwest,” says Wills. “It is an thrilling time to be a part of an organization that’s rising its footprint.”
Upcoming Occasions
Neighborhood members are invited to the next occasions on the new places of work.
First Fed Ferndale will likely be celebrating with an Open Home Week from August twenty third to twenty seventh. A giant opening occasion will happen within the department on August 25 from 4 to six p.m. Attendees can take pleasure in free food and drinks from native companies like Burrito King, Sugar Shack, Fringe Brewing, and Coach Home Cellars.
First Fed Fairhaven is internet hosting an open home from August twenty fourth to twenty sixth with free espresso from 9am to 11am. Customized espresso drinks are served by Fairhaven Espresso, a brand new native firm.
The primary Fed seaside balls and water bottles will likely be included within the raffles on the business occasions. Picture credit score: Zoe Bowen
First Fed is a member of the FDIC and an equal housing supplier.
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