For many families, settling an inheritance is a confusing and emotionally draining process. It often involves multiple agencies, stacks of documents, and long delays—at a time when people are least equipped to manage additional stress. To address this challenge, First Financial Federal Credit Union has partnered with Ribbon, a platform designed to digitize and simplify the inheritance journey. The result is a process that puts empathy at the center, supported by a clean digital interface and automation that lightens the load for everyone involved.
The platform allows members to manage claims directly online, cutting through red tape that traditionally slows down estate management. This also benefits staff at the credit union, who are now able to focus on providing guidance and support rather than juggling endless paperwork. As Eric Church, President and CEO of First Financial, explains, the partnership represents a commitment to building trust and continuity, showing up for members during moments that matter most.
For Saeid Kian, CEO and founder of Ribbon, the collaboration is also about rethinking what technology in finance should look like. Rather than pushing efficiency for its own sake, the focus is on delivering clarity, reducing anxiety, and ensuring that compassion remains front and center. This emphasis on human-centered design resonates strongly in an era when many younger, tech-savvy users expect digital-first services but still want interactions that feel personal and considerate.
By integrating Ribbon, First Financial is betting on a future where empathy is not a “soft” value but a competitive advantage. Inheritance claims may not be the most glamorous part of financial services, but they represent a critical opportunity to show members that their institution understands their needs on both practical and emotional levels. In doing so, the credit union is setting a standard for how fintech and traditional financial institutions can collaborate to transform legacy processes into experiences that truly serve the people behind them.
