First Federal Bank is a wholly-owned subsidiary of First Defiance Financial Corp., based in Defiance, Ohio. First Federal is a community bank offering traditional banking services, including residential, commercial and consumer loans, as well as a broad range of deposit account services for retail and commercial customers. First Federal currently operates 36 full service branches and 42 ATM locations in northwest Ohio, southeast Michigan and northeast Indiana.
- The First Federal story begins in the roaring 20's when First Federal Bank was originally founded as Northwestern Savings and Loan Company. When a federal charter was granted in 1935, the name changed to First Federal Savings and Loan Association of Defiance. Assets reached the $1 million mark in 1941.
- The fledgling organization added its first branch office in Bryan in 1953, and hasn't stopped growing since. Over the next forty years, First Federal opened six more branches in northwest Ohio, changed its name to First Federal Savings and Loan, and grew its assets to over $336 million.
- In the early 90's, First Federal took what turned out to be significant steps in its ongoing success story. In 1993, First Federal reorganized from a Mutual Savings and Loan Association to a Mutual Holding Company and issued its first stock to employees and to the public.
- On Sept. 29, 1995, First Federal converted from mutual holding company ownership to a full stock company, trading stock on the NASDAQ as FDEF. This event also marked the formation of First Defiance Financial Corp. as the holding company for First Federal.
- In 1998, First Federal obtained trust powers and began offering trust, estate planning, employee benefit plans and investment management services to businesses and individuals.
- In 1999, it was a community focus and a desire to provide comprehensive services that led to the final name change to First Federal Bank. A “Customer First” philosophy was introduced, along with the tagline “Bank with the people you know and trust” as an indication of our commitment to local, personalized service. Before the year was out, a Findlay branch opened and First Insurance & Investments was added to the growing list of financial services.
- In 2000, First Federal Bank continued its expansion by opening its 13th branch ( Fostoria). In 2002, a 14th full service branch opened in Bowling Green, Ohio and a loan production office was opened in Toledo, Ohio. The Leader Mortgage Company based in Cleveland and owned by First Federal for several years, was sold in April of 2002, freeing up capital for further expansion of our community banking franchise.
- In June of 2003, a portion of that capital was utilized to acquire three offices in Ottawa, Findlay and McComb, Ohio. In December of 2003 another office opened on Findlay's east side and our 19th full-service office opened in Maumee, a suburb of Toledo, in February of 2004.
- In January of 2005, four new banking offices were added in Allen County when First Federal acquired ComBanc, Inc. and The Commercial Bank with offices in Delphos, Elida, and two in Lima, Ohio. In April of 2005, First Federal acquired The Genoa Savings and Loan Company, expanding First Federal's presence to twelve counties by adding offices in Genoa, Oregon and Perrysburg outside of Toledo, Ohio.
- In February of 2007, First Defiance acquired the Huber, Harger,Welt and Smith Insurance agency located in Bowling Green, Ohio and folded it into First Insurance & Investments. In August, First Federal opened a new full-service banking office in Fort Wayne, Indiana, the first office in Indiana.
- In February of 2008, First Federal Bank opened its 28th office in Glandorf, Ohio, the second in Putnam County. In March, eight new banking offices were added in southeastern Michigan when First Federal acquired Pavilion Bancorp, based in Adrian. Offices were added in Adrian, Hillsdale, Hudson, Morenci and Tecumseh, Michigan.
Today, First Federal Bank enjoys formidable market share and a reputation of strength and stability in northwest Ohio, northeast Indiana and southeast Michigan. Assets at the end of March 2008 exceeded the $1.88 billion mark. With continued emphasis on local decision-making, community banking, quality staff and a customer-centric service culture, First Federal Bank is well-positioned for the future.
Mission Statement:
Our mission is to exceed customer expectations while helping them achieve their financial goals and dreams.
Vision Statement:
“Work, bank, and invest with the people you know and trust” drives our daily decisions. Empowered employees lead to delighted customers, satisfied shareholders and strong communities."
Organization Values:
Customer First – Customer First is the code of conduct and a standard of behavior that defines how our employees differentiate First Federal Bank from our competitors with their daily actions.
Every Product Every Market – We believe that we must strive to offer every product, with the same level of service, in all of the markets we serve.
Accuracy and Consistency – We believe that we must maintain a reputation for accuracy and consistency in all financial matters, and to eliminate errors and mistakes before they happen. We recognize that when mistakes do happen, this event must be viewed as an opportunity to exceed our customers’ expectations.
Community Involvement – We believe that our employees must be involved in leadership positions in the communities where they live and work. We also believe that we must provide financial and other support to agencies and organizations that improve the quality of life in all of our communities.
Personalized Customer Service – We believe that, wherever possible and appropriate, customers’ issues must stick like Velcro to the customer contact person who first interacts with the customer.
Local Decision Makers – We believe that as an organization, we must have decisions that impact individual customers made as close to the customer as possible. We will empower our employees at all levels to make decisions that are best for the customer and the bank.
Trusted Advisors – We believe customers want to work with people they know and trust. We want our customers to view our customer contact employees as trusted advisors in all financial matters. We require team members with a high level of expertise and a strong desire to help our customers reach all of their financial goals.
Increase the Value of the Company – We believe a fair return on investment for our shareholders’ is essential for our company to survive and thrive. We are, therefore, committed to a strong and aggressive pursuit of profit and growth. Growth in total shareholder value will be consistent with our responsibilities to our other stakeholders.
