Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

We at First Hope Bank understand that a web site is always under construction. As a result, the information you tend to look for most often will evolve with the site. Therefore, we will update this page periodically with new questions posed by our customers, and the corresponding answers to those questions.

Listed below, you will find some of the questions we are often asked. However, if you still have a question, please send an email to Laine Hissett-Bonard, our E-Commerce Department Leader. She will research your question, notify you of the answer and when appropriate, post the response.

Please understand, however, that First Hope will not post questions that use foul language or are defamatory in nature. Also, for your privacy, we will not post the names of individuals who supply questions.

What are the hours and locations of your branches?

For directions to any of the branches below, please click on the link for the Branch.

How can I obtain a copy of one of my cancelled checks?

Cancelled check images are available through Hope Online for internet banking users. Please visit our home page to enroll. You may also request a check copy through our Contact Center, which can be reached either by e-mail or by telephone at (908) 459-4121 / (973) 729-8333 (press option 6).

What can you tell me about First Hope Bank in general?

First Hope Bank is a community bank, which opened its doors for business on March 4, 1912. It is a privately held institution that has been operated by the Beatty family since its founding. The Bank's mission is to provide financial solutions that help customers achieve their hopes and dreams while enhancing the growth and prosperity of First Hope Bank and our community. If you would like to read about the history of our corporate headquarters, which is a restored Moravian church, please click here. Our corporate history is also available online by clicking here.

Does the bank currently offer Internet Banking?

The Bank launched Internet banking in October 2000. Our Internet banking product offers businesses and individuals the ability to check balances, pay bills, order checks, among other services. You can view a demonstration of the site by visiting our Internet banking page. If you have questions about this product, please contact Laine Hissett-Bonard.

What is your Internet Privacy Policy?

Our privacy policy can be viewed by clicking here.

What products and services do you offer?

First Hope Bank is a full service bank that offers a variety of deposit, loan, and investment products. On the deposit side, we have next-day availability for both our commercial and consumer customers on a variety of accounts meant to meet the needs of everyone from students to senior citizens. Our loan products include loans as diverse as debt consolidation, home equities, and auto loans. In addition to these services, we provide trust and investment* products and services from our professional investment staff as well as mutual funds, annuities and insurance offered through Raymond James Financial Services, Inc.**

Who can I talk to about selected services?

Deposits: Please contact one of the Branch Managers below:

Loans: Please contact the appropriate person below:

Do you accept applications for deposits or loans over the Internet?

Currently, for loan applications we ask that you obtain the application on our website, fill it out, print it, and send in the application either by fax, mail, or dropping the application off at one of our branches. If you have any questions about personal loans, please contact Andrew Antanaitis. For questions about mortgages, please contact Barry Cox. Charles Luszcz can handle your questions about commercial loans.

For deposit applications, the process is similar. However, in order to activate your account, we do ask that you come in to sign some documents. If you have any questions, please contact a Branch manager listed below:

When are checks available?

Deposits are available on the next business day. However, our business day ends at 3:00 p.m. EST Monday through Friday for transactions performed at the teller line and with your Debit MasterCard®. So, a check deposited after 3:00 p.m. EST on a Friday will not be available until the following Tuesday, since it was officially deposited on Monday.

What time does your business day end?

Our business day ends at 3:00 p.m. EST Monday through Friday for transactions performed at the teller line and with your Debit MasterCard®. However, for transactions performed through Hope Online, the business day ends at 6:00 PM EST. Therefore, you can make transfers or perform bill payments through Hope Online until 6:00 PM EST to have them processed on today's business day.

What do you offer business customers?

For business customers, First Hope offers FREE business checking with no per check charges and next day availability. Additionally, we offer a commercial cash sweep with the ability to sweep excess funds overnight into a money market account. If you are looking for commercial loans, we offer time and term loans both on a secured or unsecured basis. Additional services include a business debit card, credit card services, ACH Direct Deposit and wire transfers.

What about Investment advice?

Our Trust and Investment services staff can help you with a variety of investment products* and services. Whether it is helping you establish a trust or plan your estate, purchasing investments, selecting insurance or saving for retirement or a child's education, we have the people to help you.

How can I download my account information into my financial software?

You can download account information from your current and your previous statement into QuickBooks, Quicken, or Microsoft Money by following these steps:

1. Log in to your Hope Online access.
2. Select the account in question from your Accounts list.
3. Pull down the "Transactions" menu and click "Transactions Export".
4. Enter the pertinent information in the fields provided, select the type of file to which you wish to export, and click the "Export" button.
   

How can I obtain my Access ID for Hope Online if I don't know it?

If you have recently enrolled in Hope Online, you will receive two letters containing your Access ID and temporary password via postal mail within 4-5 days of your enrollment date. If you are an existing Hope Online user and you have forgotten your Access ID, you will either need to visit one of our branch offices to obtain that information, or contact First Hope Bank's Contact Center by telephone to have a new Access ID and password issued to you by postal mail. If you have not yet enrolled in Hope Online, you may do so here.

*Investments are not insured by the FDIC, not deposits or obligation of the institution and are not guaranteed by the institution and are subject to investment risk, including possible loss of principal amount invested.

Investment products are sold through Raymond James Financial Services, Robert Walen, registered representative.