Meet Wanjiku

Before Wanjiku was a member of Education First, she would often drive by the Credit Union’s Westerville Branch on her way to work. The name “Education First” appealed to her. She was intrigued by the idea that there was a credit union specifically for educators.

“I would always drive by your Westerville branch,” she says. “And one day, I walked in and joined. I was a student at the time, earning my master’s degree at OSU, and I needed a checking and savings account. I liked the idea of a credit union for teachers and students that actively helped people in education.”

Wanjiku appreciates many of Education First’s products, but it was a car loan last November that really solidified her belief in the Credit Union.

“I had the best experience getting my car loan with the Credit Union,” she says. “I applied online, and it was easy and quick. Jason called me immediately. He was very helpful and walked me through the loan process step by step.”

Education First relationship officer, Jason, pre-approved Wanjiku for her auto loan, and then she was on her way to finding her car.

“It took me until January to find a car that fit my budget,” says Wanjiku. “One thing that I appreciated was that Jason would periodically check in with me and ask me how the process was going, no pressure, just ‘How’s it going?’ “

So, the day Wanjiku found the car she wanted, she called Jason.

“He gave me valuable information that I have never gotten before,” says Wanjiku. “This wasn’t my first experience buying a car, but it was the first time I had someone take the time to give me advice and tips on how to get the best deal on a car; how to talk to the dealer to get the optimal price and experience.”

“The dealers knew I had someone in my corner,” says Wanjiku. “I came in with all the leg work already done, and I feel that made them respect me more. To me, that was the best part – knowing that I was prepared.”

Wanjiku says that some documents needed to be signed in Reynoldsburg to close the loan after she bought her new car, but she had a busy day at work ahead of her and couldn’t make it.

“Jason was willing to drive to the Westerville branch, which is right across the street from my work so that I could just drop off the documents during my lunch break. I really appreciate his flexibility and willingness to work around my schedule.”

Wanjiku says she’s used banks in the past, but after her car loan experience with Education First, she is sold on credit unions.

“For once, I felt like I had someone in my corner, someone with my financial best interest at heart,” she says. “That’s the biggest difference to me between a credit union and a bank.”

Wanjiku says that based on her experience if she ever needs a loan in the future, she will definitely be going through the Credit Union.

“And I am telling everyone I know too!” she says, “I recommend the Credit Union to everyone.”