Your Award-Winning Credit Union

Desjardins Adult FinancialEducation AwardThe Virginia Credit Union League recognized our fi nancial education eff orts with the 2013 Desjardins Adult Financial Education Award. Financial education is an important member service here at Freedom First. We off er classes for groups, businesses, and schools as well as individual counseling for anyone who wants to protect their identity, establish a budget, or improve their credit score. VACUL chose our program to represent Virginia in the national competition.

For the second time, VACUL has recognized a Freedom First program for its positive impact on the community we serve. We are proud to announce winning the state-level Dora Maxwell Award for our partnership with the Federal

Home Loan Bank of Atlanta to help individuals and families purchase or improve the accessibility, safety, and energy effi ciency of their homes. The program includes funding specifi cally designated for veterans. Freedom First won this award in 2011 for our Responsible Rides program.

AU T U M N 2013

Dor a Maxwell Social Re sponsibil it y

Co mm unit y Servi ce Award

Freedom First is proud to announce several very exciting awards we have recently won. The Virginia Credit Union League awarded us the Desjardins Adult Financial Education Award and the Dora Maxwell Social Responsibility Community Service Award. The Opportunity Finance Network awarded us the $100,000 NEXT Seed Capital Award to develop the American Dreamer Loan. And the Credit Union National Association (CUNA) named us the national Community Credit Union of the Year! These prestigious awards are evidence that the fi nancial industry recognizes the value of a community-focused credit union that truly lives its mission of “Helping Our Members Prosper—Helping Our Communities Thrive.”

CUNA Co mm unit y Cr edit Union of the YearEach year, CUNA names one credit union from each asset-size category Community Credit Union of the year for demonstrating the fundamental goals of the credit union movement and exerting a positive infl uence in the fi eld of service. This year, CUNA named Freedom First the national Community Credit Union of the Year among credit unions with assets over $250 million! This honor recognizes our recent expansion into Franklin and Craig Counties, and our enduring commitment to our members.

$100,000 NEXT Seed Award Will Fund New Citizenship LoanThe seed capital award will fund our new American Dreamer Loan, which will help legal immigrants and refugees attain U.S. citizenship. Freedom First will work with Commonwealth Catholic Charities and a local immigration law fi rm to develop and launch the program early next year.

“There is signifi cant need for this new product, which will help make citizenship accessible to more immigrants in Virginia, and could be replicated nationally,” said Lesley Eckstein, executive vice president and head of Community Lending and Investment at Wells Fargo.

The NEXT Award is sponsored by Wells Fargo, Opportunity Finance Network, the Kresge Foundation, and the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation.

West End Branch Co nst ructionAfter a few unplanned (but not unexpected) delays related to design and historical preservation, construction of the West End branch offi cially began at the end of August.

Community Development staff have been meeting with neighborhood groups, churches, and families to discuss the project and how the community can benefi t from the new branch. “Neighborhood residents emphasize housing, transportation, and fi nancial education as priorities,” says relationship manager Tim Cerebe. “We look forward to off ering services that will address those priorities and help further develop the West End community.”

Follow us on facebook and twitter for updates on this and other Freedom First projects.

News From Our Branches

Federally insured by NCUA. We do business in accordance with Federal Fair Lending Laws. This newsletter is published by Freedom First

Federal Credit Union for its members. Availability, terms, and rates of certain services are subject to change at any time without prior

notice to the membership.

* Securities off ered through LPL Financial, member FINRA/SIPC. Insurance products off ered through LPL Financial or its licensed

affi liates. Not NCUA Insured. No Credit Union Guarantee. May Lose Value.

HOLIDAY CLOSINGSCOLUMBUS DAYCommunity Work DayMonday, October 14

VETERANS DAYMonday, November 11

THANKSGIVING DAYThursday, November 28

CHRISTMAS DAYWednesday, December 25

NEW YEAR’S DAYWednesday, January 1, 2014

CONTACT US(540) 389-0244 / (866) 389-0244

www.freedomfirst.com

BRANCHESBlacksburgChristiansburgDaleville RoanokeSalemVintonVirginia Tech

International Credit Union DayUnite for GoodPlease join Freedom First in celebrating International Credit Union Day with refreshments at our branches on October 17, 2013.

Freedom First Wealth Management is pleased to announce that we have changed our broker/dealer affi liation. As of September 2013, we are working with LPL Financial* to

provide investment services to our clients. We encourage our existing clients to contact us to update your paperwork and

discuss how our new off erings can benefi t you.

Not a current client? Now is a great time to review your portfolio. Call us today to schedule your

no-cost, no-obligation appointment!

(540) 378-8934

Weal th Manage ment

50,000+ Surcharge-Free ATMs NationwideLook for these symbols:

Visit www.freedomfirst.com for a complete list.

AT M s

8/31/2012 8/31/2013

Assets $288,660,043 $319,303,726Shares $221,907,507 $242,803,367Loans $224,656,818 $253,267,430Members 44,101 46,068

Freedom First at a Glance

Ch ris tmas Cl ubChristmas Club funds will

be transferred to your designated account on

October 20, 2013.

Call for NominationsIf you would like to be considered for a position on the Board of Directors, submit your name and biographical information to the Nominating Committee by November 1, 2013. After this date, the Nominating Committee will then only accept nominations by petition.

The election will be held at the Annual Meeting in May 2014. If you would like to serve or make a nomination, please submit your request in writing to nominations@freedomfi rst.com or mail to:

Freedom First Federal Credit Union Attn: Nominating Committee Chairperson P.O. Box 1999 Salem, VA 24153 P.P.P.P.PP.O.O.O.O.O.O BBBBBBoxoxoxoxox 11111999999999 9 99999SSSaSSaSSaSaSSSaSaSaSaSaaSaaleleleleleleleeleel m,mmmm,mm,m,mm,,,,,, VVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVAAAAAAAAA AA 24242424244442242422422424151515151151515155533333333333

Co mm unit y Wor k DayOctober 14 is a federal holiday, but for Freedom First’s 160 employees, it’s our 6th annual Community Work Day. We will spend the day completing service projects at 10 area nonprofi t sites. Look for details and pictures on our facebook page!