Meet Laura

Laura’s mom worked for the Columbus Board of Education in the 1970s and 80s as the Superintendent’s administrative assistant. She was an avid supporter for the Credit Union and encouraged everyone who worked for Columbus City Schools to join. She signed Laura up for her first account as a teenager and Laura has been with Education First ever since.

“My mom loved the Credit Union. She signed both me and my brother up for our first checking and savings accounts,” says Laura. “One thing that is kind of funny, I remember shortly after I graduated from college, I came back into the Credit Union after having been away from home for a long time and I was surprised to see my old high school teacher working here.”

Tom Beck, Laura’s former High School history teacher at Briggs High School was a board member for Education First for several years.

“The Credit Union is like a family. Whenever I have come into the branch, I’ve felt like it was home,” says Laura.

Laura’s first car loan was with the Credit Union, “a little Toyota pick-up truck,” and she has used many other Education First products and services over the years.

Laura also signed up her son for his own account at the Credit Union when he was young. “It’s so important to teach kids about finances; a lot of high schoolers might not even know that they can join a credit union.”

Laura’s son had an ABC youth account. These accounts are specifically for children and for every $10.00 deposit made, kids earn ‘apple bucks,” which can be redeemed in an Education First branch for prizes like little stuffed animals, pencils, coloring books and small toys. Kids also earn ABC Bucks on their birthday and when opening their account.

“He loved getting the apple bucks in the mail,” says Laura. “It was a great way to teach him about money.”

Laura briefly had an account with a regular bank but was not happy with the service there.

“[Education First] was my first checking account and savings account,” says Laura. “I did have an account with Bank Ohio for a little while too, but that didn’t go so well. I hated the way they treated their customers. There were all kinds of hidden fees and they weren’t interested in being helpful. I ended up closing that account. Banks are too commercial, they don’t really care. At a bank you are just a number. The Credit Union is just the obvious and best way to go; it’s a no-brainer.”