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We Offer a Career, Not a Job
First Financial Group offers our associates limitless opportunities for training, support, development and mentorship. As an associate, you own your practice and can direct your career.
We strongly believe that in the financial industry today most "representatives" are taught products, not process. Ask most representatives how a 401(k) works and you'll get a standard answer. Ask whether it is appropriate for a specific client and the answers will vary. First Financial Group has always focused the development of representatives through an annual curriculum that addresses most of the areas where other firms are weak.
Before an associate can work with the firm there is an in depth evaluation of whether this is the correct career for the candidate and if they fit into the firm culture. If it is a fit, the associates begin the transition into the firm. They are licensed for insurance and securities and then begin the first year of mentorship, education and development.
During the associates first year, they attend classes on Mondays and Fridays. These classes encompass our planning process, The Living Balance Sheet®. These classes teach the basics of all parts of financial services. New associates are taught to evaluate financial processes on a macroeconomic basis and understand the interrelated nature of financial decision making. By coordinating financial strategies, creating greater efficiency, cost, and tax reduction, we often provide clients greater wealth and protection without assuming more risk or requiring additional out of pocket outlay.
On Mondays and Fridays, prior to or following the 2-hour Living Balance Sheet classes, new associates will learn about specific financial services or business/practice development. These classes include:
- Equities / Investments Training - Annuities, Mutual Funds, Processes, Communication of Financial Issues.
- Life Insurance 101 - Learn about all types of coverage, their strengths and weaknesses, strategies for wealth creation, efficiency and dissolution of assets.
- Disability Income Insurance 101 - A comprehensive overview of all forms of Long-Term Disability coverage and the caveats of policy language. Also learn advanced strategies, including Qualified Sick Pay Plans, Business Overhead, Disability Buy-Out, etc.
- Qualified Plans - Associates learn about 412(e)(3), 401(k), SEP, Defined Benefit Plans, Profit Sharing Plans, the pitfalls of design (or lack thereof), administration issues, funding alternatives and marketing / implementation strategies.
- Non-Qualified Plans - Top-Hat Plans, Split-Dollar Plans, Section 165 Plans, Deferred Compensation, etc. Learn the complexities of some of the only discriminatory benefits available to employers on an IRS approved basis.
- Business Continuation Planning - Entity Purchase, Cross Purchase or Mix-Master Buy-Sells, ESOP's. Learn the strategies for and pitfalls of poorly implemented/planned business continuation strategies.
- Managing Goal Achievement - Associates are taught goal setting, visualization, to widen their scope of possibilities, and to implement tactics to achieve their goals. This course lasts 12
weeks and provides associates with a process for success.
- Advocacy - Understand the importance of the mission representatives have. The work we do for clients impacts their lives and the lives of the people they love and employ. Learn to connect with that mission and make an impact with your work. This class lasts 8 weeks, teaches our firms psychology, and provides a process for motivating clients to help others by recommending they work with our associates.
- CFP®, CHFC® and CLU® curriculum - Our desire is that all associates have a CFP 4 years into their employment with the firm. We provide The American College Textbook review and course reinforcement for self-study. Two classes are taught per year, and classes last between 8 and 12 weeks depending on material.
The depth of our commitment to education has been proven through 25 years of delivering the above curriculum to new representatives and the retention of those representatives.
Representatives at FFG receive unparalleled support:
Our Competitive Edge
- Guardian's commitment to the agency system
- Business/estate attorneys and experts available with just a phone call
- Guardian-On-Line - An unlimited resource of competition, industry, Guardian and career information
- Center for Advanced Training - Edulence driven education available online 24 hours a day
- Smart Office - a client resource management system
- Park Avenue Securities
- The Living Balance Sheet - an account aggregation tool
- Competitive Compensation
- FFG Culture and Support
Structured Training and Development Programs
- Quarterly Sales Events
- In-House Advocacy and Living Balance Sheet training
- Group and Individual Coaching available
- Product Training
Local Marketing Initiatives and Support
- In-house consulting
- Client events that facilitate personal introductions
- Promotional and marketing pieces of all kinds
- Representative Personalized Client Newsletters
- Press Releases
Sense of Family
- Internal Newsletter
- Annual Black-Tie Dinner Dance
- Annual Company Picnic
Retention Rates
- According to a LIMRA study, the average four year retention rate for the industry is currently 13%.
- FFG's average four year retention rate (2004-2008) is 60%.
Strong Leadership
- Awarded Guardian's prestigious President's Cup award for years 1995, 1998, and 2001 (Winners can only receive this honor every three years. One agency out of 137 is selected nationwide)
Guardian Financial Rep Contract and High Quality Products
- Enhanced further by the exclusive Guardian Bonus Plan
- Competitive compensation for first year income and renewals in the industry
Test Your Fit
1 - Do you thrive on turning client's dreams into reality?
2 - Would you like to help people understand their financial decisions and help them achieve learn how to apply economics to their finances?
3 - Can you empathize with your client and their goals, taking great care to craft appropriate solutions?
4 - Do you have a strong work ethic and strive to be a respected leader in the community?
5 - Do you want to own a business? Would you like to determine your own future, compensation and career direction?
6 - Would you like to work with a company that provides a pension for great performance, while you earn renewable compensation and are treated like you are self employed?
7 - Do you measure success by the number of businesses built, incomes preserved, comfortable retirements achieved, and families whose lives are enriched?
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 Our Three Offices
-Baltimore
-Lancaster
-Wilkes-Barre
Staff Positions 
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