Here's what you can except from us.

High Standards for Safety
From the sanitation of our facilities to cleanliness practices amongst employees, we're working to ensure that First Hope remains a safe environment and follows health standards set by the CDC. Additionally, we've increased the amount of hand sanitizer and disinfectant solutions in order to disinfect high traffic areas throughout the day and our cleaning services are doing thorough, daily, deep cleaning. Lastly, we've postponed all travel, and cancelled all large gatherings at our facilities to minimize any risk to attendees and clients who would have visited us during this time.

Proactive Responses
Every year we test our pandemic response plan as part of our overall disaster recovery/business continuity planning and testing.  On January 28^th we activated our Pandemic Response Team in light of the emerging regional epidemics and we continue to monitor the developing situation and guidance from our health authorities.

With the lessons learned from Superstorm Sandy, seven years ago, we have made massive investments to our network infrastructure, and as a result our team of bankers are equipped to be available to you, even if they are offsite.  Our primary goal is to continue to serve you while maintaining a safe environment.

We've created a critical response team to continue to monitor the situation and updated guidance from the health authorities. Additionally, our team of bankers are equipped to be available to you, even if they are offsite. Our primary goal is to continue to serve you while maintaining a safe environment.

We have also increased the availability of our call center beyond our normal operating hours. With our extended call center hours you can now reach someone on weekdays from 7AM-11PM, and on weekends/most holidays from 9AM-5PM. Our call center agents will continue handle many common issues and will transfer to bankers when available or take messages after hours.

In accordance with guidance from health authorities we are taking steps to increase social distancing and limit physical contact. We ask for your cooperation in these efforts and encourage the use of our remote services first, drive-ups second, limit lobby use as much as possible. At this time we are committed to keeping our lobbies open but we are limiting access by appointment only. Please call your local branch or our contact center to schedule an appointment.

Appointment scheduling will help us ensure staff will be available to help you while:

• Increasing social distancing for our team and customers by limiting lobby access to two customers at a time.
• Ensuring the appropriate staff is on hand to assist you with your financial needs.
• Giving our team time to sanitize meeting spaces between appointments

We ask you to refrain from using our financial center and drive-up if you have any of the following:

• Fever, Cough, and/or Sore Throat;
• Traveled Internationally within the past 14 days
• Been in contact with someone suspected of being exposed to the Coronavirus.

Convenient Banking Solutions for You
If you prefer not to come into one of our offices, we have a number of ways for you to connect from the comfort of your home office.

• Access your accounts 24/7 using online banking by visiting FirstHope.com or by using our mobile app.
• Connect with a banker by phone. Our Call Center is available to you from 7AM-11PM Mon-Fri, and from 9AM-5PM weekends and holidays, excluding Thanksgiving and Christmas. Just give us a call at 908-459-4121 and we'll assist you with your banking needs.
• Connect with your local banker. Our team is equipped to be available offline and after-hours if need be.
• You can also utilize social media to connect with us. Send us a message on Facebook or Twitter.

We'll continue to monitor this situation and communicate any changes with you. You can always find key information on our status by visiting FirstHope.com. As always, we're here to connect and answer any questions that you may have.

Donald D. Somma
President and CEO