Our Innovative Financial Wellness Program

Recently, First Bank was recognized by CardRates.com with their Editor’s Choice award for the bank’s innovative approach to providing financial wellness and community support.

Specifically highlighting the bank’s First@Work Program, the CardRates.com team writes, “First Bank’s efforts to deliver meaningful financial education resources to the communities it serves help fulfill its mission as a community bank. It also makes it stand out as an institution that is going the extra mile for its customers.”

Check out the full article on the CardRates.com site.

Share:

Sign up for our newsletter and be the first to know about new tips, insights, and products from First Bank.

First Bank may use this email address to contact you about products, services, and promotions.

You may be interested in...

Front Porch Realty: Prepped for Growth Laura McCorry has been selling real estate in the Triangle area since 1996. After working for a franchise realty company for the first 9 years of her career, her referral base had grown so large that she decided to open her own real estate company in 2005. 3 min read

Am I Eligible for FEMA Relief? Here’s What You Need to Know Who Qualifies for Assistance? Federal disaster aid is available for residents and business owners in the following counties: Alexander, Alleghany, Ashe, Avery, Buncombe, Burke, Caldwell, Catawba, Clay, Cleveland, Gaston, Haywood, Henderson, Jackson, Lincoln, Macon, Madison, McDowell, Mitchell, Polk, Rutherford, Transylvania, Watauga, Wilkes, and Yancey. Not sure if you’re eligible? You can verify your eligibility and apply directly on FEMA’s website: DisasterAssistance.gov. What Assistance Does FEMA Offer? FEMA provides a range of relief programs aimed at helping individuals and businesses recover from disasters. Here’s a closer look at what you may be eligible to receive: 1. Housing Assistance This aid helps you secure safe shelter while your home is being repaired or rebuilt. FEMA can provide funds for: Rental Assistance: Financial support to rent a temporary residence if your home is uninhabitable due to disaster-related damage. Lodging Expense Reimbursement: If you had to stay in a hotel or motel, FEMA can reimburse you for these expenses. This is especially helpful if you were unable to find immediate rental options. Home Repair or Replacement: Grants are available to help repair or replace your home and address disaster-specific damages, such as water damage or mold. FEMA may also cover hazard mitigation measures that reduce the risk of future damage. Accessibility Needs: If you or someone in your household has a disability, FEMA can provide funds to make your home accessible. This might include ramps, grab bars, and other necessary modifications, even if these were not originally present before the disaster. Privately-Owned Roads, Bridges, and Docks: If the only access to your home has been damaged, FEMA can help cover repair costs for private infrastructure like roads and bridges. 2. Other Needs Assistance This program helps with essential expenses and serious needs beyond housing. Covered expenses include: Serious Needs: Grants to cover immediate necessities like food, water, first aid, prescriptions, and personal hygiene items, ensuring you have access to essentials during recovery. Displacement: If your home is uninhabitable, FEMA can help cover the cost of staying with family, friends, or in a hotel while you search for a more permanent solution. Personal Property: Financial assistance to repair or replace items essential to daily life, such as appliances, furniture, and work or school-related items like computers and tools. This can also include uniforms, books, and equipment needed for self-employment. Medical and Dental Expenses: If the disaster caused injury or damaged medical or dental equipment, FEMA can help cover the costs for treatment, equipment replacement, and prescribed medications. Funeral Costs: In the unfortunate event that the disaster resulted in a loss of life, FEMA offers support to cover funeral or reburial expenses. Child Care: For families facing increased child care costs due to the disaster, FEMA can provide funds to help cover these additional expenses. Assistance for Miscellaneous Items: Reimbursement for items like generators, dehumidifiers, and chainsaws that were purchased or rented to aid in the recovery process. Transportation: If your vehicle was damaged and you don’t have an alternative mode of transportation, FEMA may help cover the repair or replacement costs to ensure you have a way to get to work, school, or other essential places. Moving and Storage Expenses: FEMA can help with costs associated with moving and storing personal property, especially if it needs to be relocated temporarily during home repairs or if you need to move to a new residence. Each of these programs is designed to provide immediate and practical support, so you can focus on the well-being of your family and community as you rebuild after the disaster. How Do I Apply for FEMA Assistance? Applying for FEMA relief is straightforward. Here are the steps to get started: Apply Online: Visit DisasterAssistance.gov to apply for assistance. You can also download the FEMA App or call FEMA’s toll-free number at 1-800-621-3362. Register for an Account: If you’re applying online, you’ll need to create an account on Login.gov. This will allow you to save your application, upload documents, and check your status. Prepare Your Information: You’ll need details like your home and mailing address, Social Security number, insurance info, and bank details for direct deposit. Submit Your Application: Once you’ve completed the application, review it, make any necessary changes, and submit it. Be sure to save your application ID as you’ll need it for future communication with FEMA. What Happens After You Apply? After applying, FEMA will review your application and may contact you for additional information or to schedule an inspection. You can always log into your account on DisasterAssistance.gov to check your application status and receive updates. If approved, FEMA will disburse funds via direct deposit or a mailed check, based on your preference. For more information or to begin the application process, visit DisasterAssistance.gov, call FEMA at 1-800-621-3362, or use the FEMA App. Recovering from Disaster with FEMA’s Support If you’re affected by Hurricane Helene, you don’t have to face it alone. FEMA offers a range of programs designed to help you get back on your feet. Take advantage of these resources to help ease the journey to recovery. 5 min read

The Hagler's standing in front of farm equipment

Business Spotlight: Hagler Farms Bryan Hagler tells the story of Hagler Farms in Laurinburg, North Carolina. 2 min read

First Bank Celebrates Anne Stoneham During Women’s History Month Anne Stoneham serves as First Bank’s Senior Director of Human Resources, leading Compensation & Benefits, Talent Acquisition, Training & Talent Development, and Internal Communications. Although her path from college to the workforce was anything but linear, she has been fortunate enough to work in the business/banking industry for 39 years. In her senior year, Stoneham realized that she did not want to pursue a career in her major. Upon graduating from UNC Chapel Hill, she worked at a bank until figuring out what her next steps were. Before this, Anne never even considered banking or business as a career choice, but there she found her love for helping her customers and teammates find the right solutions. She found career direction about a year and a half later when she was offered a position in the training department. There she was able to utilize her strengths, helping her to excel in her field and setting her up for many years of future growth and success. Anne has been fortunate enough to have a number of smart, strong, and capable women in all facets of her life that have been role models, showing her how to be authentic to who she is and how to navigate an industry dominated by men. Having strong admiration for her aunt and grandmother, Stoneham stated, “They were such great examples of grace and strength. I learned a lot from just growing up around them.” Her mother was also a vast influence on her growing up. As a student graduating from high school at the age of 15, Anne’s mother was a model of perseverance for her, always encouraging her to go the extra mile. Professionally, Anne gives gratitude to two leaders in her life; one who thought strategically and sparked Stoneham’s interest in leadership and the other who showed her how to be a true advocate, valued her opinion, and taught her how to preserve in the workplace. Anne stated, “Role models are all around us if we are just willing to be open and take the gifts that each individual can give us, because you can learn something from everyone.” When thinking about her role as a woman in leadership, Anne thinks that the greatest 4 min read

First Bank Recognized For Innovative Financial Wellness Program

Ready to talk to an expert?

Ready to talk to an expert?

You may be interested in...