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2025-08-25
Lakewood, Ohio, August 25, 2025 – First Federal Lakewood has been named a first-time 2025 NorthCoast 99 award winner by ERC, the Employers Resource Council. The NorthCoast 99 award honors 99 great Northeast Ohio workplaces for top talent.
“Twenty-seven years ago, ERC launched the NorthCoast 99 awards program and event to help our region become a prime destination for companies and high-performing individuals,” said Samantha Marx, ERC’s Vice President of Strategic Projects, who oversees the NorthCoast 99 program. “Beyond being a sought-after accolade, this yearlong research initiative offers employers valuable insights and data into policies and practices that successfully attract and retain top talent.”
NorthCoast 99 winners participated in a rigorous application process that asked for detailed information on how their organization addresses top-performer attraction, development, and retention in the areas of employee engagement and talent development; employee well-being; organizational strategy, policies, and benefits; talent attraction, acquisition, and onboarding; and total rewards.
“We are honored to be recognized as a NorthCoast 99 award winner for the first time,” said Timothy E. Phillips, First Federal Lakewood President and CEO. “This achievement reflects our unwavering commitment to fostering a workplace culture where top talent can thrive. At First Federal Lakewood, we believe that investing in our people is the key to delivering exceptional service to our customers and strengthening the communities we serve.”
“Winning NorthCoast 99 is not easy. This group of 99 employers is constantly evolving, listening, and responding to the needs and desires of today’s talent. We commend the 2025 winners for setting a benchmark for excellence,” said ERC President and CEO Kelly Keefe.
The 2025 NorthCoast 99 awards program is sponsored by Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield; CIBC; Cleveland Magazine; ERChealth; Maloney + Novotny; Meyers, Roman, Friedberg & Lewis; Oswald Companies; Staffing Solutions Enterprises; and WKYC Studios.
About First Federal LakewoodFirst Federal Lakewood is the largest independent depositor-owned bank headquartered in Ohio with assets of $3 billion. With 20 full-service branch locations and three mortgage lending offices throughout Ohio, First Federal Lakewood provides deposit, lending, residential mortgage lending, cash management and investment services to individuals and businesses. Since 1935, First Federal Lakewood has been a stable, community-owned bank committed to deploying funds that foster local economic growth. FFL.bank
About ERCAt ERC, we work with leaders to build better workplaces and solve the challenges that don’t come with easy solutions — like pay, employee relations, training, and engagement. For over 100 years, we have been a trusted resource for organizations in Northeast Ohio and around the country. ERC is also the creator of the annual NorthCoast 99 awards program, honoring the 99 highest-ranking workplaces in Northeast Ohio each year. Learn more at yourERC.com.
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