Welcome to the CAFE Hub!
The Community Action Financial Empowerment (CAFE) Hub is your one-stop resource for:
Financial Literacy Education in a self-paced online program
Personalized Financial Coaching with a 1st Bergen Financial Counselor to take control of your financial future
Financial Assistance & Deposit Matching for income-eligible families
Group financial literacy sessions for NJ Nonprofits to increase community impact
Safe and Secure Banking at 1st Bergen FCU, available to all participants
Take your 1st step towards financial wellness today!
Knowledge is Power
Take the 1st step to financial wellness by building your financial literacy online. Click below to learn more and get started.
Take Control of Your Future
Our no-cost financial coaches will help you dream and achieve the future you want. Click below to learn more and register for an initial coaching session.
Get a Head Start
Financial assistance for you and your family may be available to reduce your debts, work towards a savings goal, and establish a savings account for your child.
Guidance When You Need It
There’s no need to do this alone. You’ll have access to our financial coaches and credit union staff whenever you need it — no question is too small.
Low-Cost Banking for All
We partner with NJ nonprofits to provide financial literacy training and 1st Bergen membership to their clients, even if located outside our service area.
Financial Literacy Program
We have partnered with industry-leading, financial education organization BALANCE to provide 1st Bergen FCU members with free access to expertly crafted financial education resources including:
BalanceTrack — A series of introductory educational modules to establish personal finance fundamentals
Free Webinars — Bi-monthly sessions on a variety of financial topics
Specialized Financial Counseling — Call-in support for specialized areas that our 1st Bergen financial coaches may refer you to for specialized assistance, including HUD-certified housing counseling and student loan counseling.
By participating in our financial education program, you’ll also gain access to our in-house Private Banker Phone Line to support your learning and answer any personal finance questions you may have.
Please click the button below to register and get started!
Personal Financial Coaching Program
The CAFE Hub is the place to dream about your financial future and take real steps to achieve it.
Our personalized no-cost coaching program is an opportunity to take control of your financial situation and plan for the future with the support of a Financial Coach.
Here’s how to get started:
Click here or the button below to schedule your first financial coaching session at our Hackensack location or on a video call.
Fill out an intake form to give us a sense of your current financial situation, and to authorize us to discuss your credit report with you.
Attend your first session and work with your coach to create a “Take Action Today” task to complete for your next session.
At your first meeting, please bring income documentation for you and all adults who live with you, such as a completed 2023 tax return, last two pay stubs, and/or a Social Security or SSI award letter. Please also bring identification establishing your home address.
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Our financial coaching program is supported by several groups that require us to track and report the income levels of the households we serve. This allows us to provide high-class financial counseling at no cost to you.
Income and housing documentation is required to verify eligibility for and receive any financial assistanc. We will continue to provide you with our services while your income and housing documentation is pending. If providing income documentation is a challenge, please discuss this with your financial counselor or the CAFE Hub Program Director in your first meeting.
Financial Assistance
Financial incentives and reduced-rate loans are available for individuals in households in certain service areas and meeting certain income limitations. Additional services include:
Up to $400 in direct financial incentives for participants in the coaching program for debt assistance & deposit matches
Plus up to $400 per child in savings deposit matches in the Future Dream Education Savings club account
Eligibility for a reduced rate on debt-consolidation loan up to $2,500 when debt-reduction is part of your plan of action, subject to loan approval.
Guided referrals to NJ nonprofit resources, including through Greater Bergen Community Action, to take full advantage of the social services network’s ability to improve your financial situation.
Additional assistance is provided through support from Greater Bergen Community Action and is subject to income verification. You will be asked to provide address verification and income verification from all people you live with, such as two pay-stubs or a 2023 tax return for each adult member of your household with income. Please contact us for more information about what financial assistance may be available to you.
Opportunities for NJ Nonprofits & Community Organizations
1st Bergen is proud to partner with NJ Nonprofits & Community Organizations to multiply the impact of their services by adding financial education, financial coaching, and inclusive banking.
We will meet with your group leadership, understand your organization’s goals, and build a financial wellness plan for your clients or members. Services can include:
Customized financial literacy workshops led by 1st Bergen staff
Customized lesson plans through Balance Pro
Group financial coaching and budgeting sessions
Credit Builder Loan Opportunities
Guided membership onboarding at 1st Bergen for people unfamiliar with banking
All sessions can be led online or in-person depending on your group’s location, in English or Spanish. All participants from your group are automatically eligible for 1st Bergen membership, and all other CAFE Hub services available to members. Please email us at CAFE@1stbergen.com for more information about group participation.
Our Partners
Contact CAFE Hub
For general inquiries, please use the contact form below.
Current CAFE Hub clients may contact a Private Banker at (973) 881-0801, email CAFE@1stbergen.com, or visit the client page for more information.