The Best Credit Unions to Work For under $200M in assets

September 17, 2018 8:00 AM

Want to be the best? Then learn from the best.

With unemployment low, proven executives and promising new blood have lots of opportunities. Attracting and retaining the top talent in this increasingly competitive environment will take more than just a good salary and a competitive benefits program. To successfully recruit, develop and keep great employees means offering them opportunities to grow both professionally and personally, tools that help them maintain a healthy work-life balance – and even have some on-the-job fun.

Credit Union Journal's Best Credit Unions To Work For rankings give you the opportunity to learn from some of the most innovative credit unions out there. From enhanced family medical leave options, paid time off for volunteering in the community, special recognition programs that go beyond a plaque and a handshake and more, these credit unions have found creative ways to make people want to do their best work.

Read on to learn how the top credit unions with under $200 million in assets are attracting and retaining top employees, and check back throughout the week for more!

InFirst Federal Credit Union employees gather for a photo at the CU’s Marlow Heights branch location. Front row: Jacqueline Gullia, Training Development Manager; Ebony Makal, Marlow Heights Teller II. Second row: Patricia Irwin, Chief Operations Officer; Nia Coaxum, Marlow Heights Teller I; Shacerria Washington, Marlow Heights Teller I. Third row: Tahisha Hawkins, Marlow Heights Teller I; Michelle Lee, Marlow Heights Assistant Branch Manager; Darrius Thomas, Marlow Heights Teller II; and Lauren Cross, Marlow Heights Teller I.

InFirst FCU

Location: Alexandria, Va.
Assets: $170 million
Overall rank: 3
Asset category rank: 1
Reasons employees like to work here:
· Member First Committee encourages new ideas from employees to be submitted to HR. Many ideas are implemented and awarded
· Employees have job shadowing opportunities so they can understand the full operations of the credit union
· FitBit Wellness Program for staff competitions.

Pictured above: InFirst Federal Credit Union employees gather for a photo at the CU’s Marlow Heights branch location.

For more on InFirst FCU, click here.

Texas Tech FCU’s board and executive team pose with mascot, Raider Red

Texas Tech CU

Location: Lubbock, Texas
Assets: $179 million
Overall rank: 4
Asset category rank: 2
Reasons employees like to work here:
· Annual stress-management training sessions delivered by licensed professional counselors
· The credit union holds events such as holiday parties, potlucks and company picnics throughout the year where employees are encouraged to bring their families
· Every Friday is jeans day and staff are encouraged to dress up for Halloween and participate in a costume contest. The CU also participates in “spirit days” to show support for local universities.

Pictured above: Texas Tech FCU’s board and executive team pose with mascot, "Raider Red."

Some of the staff at Access Community Credit Union. Pictured left to right: Vaden Carthel (business development/marketing officer, John Hays (president and CEO), Briana Dominguez (service center lead), Christina Browder (cash department supervisor), Lindsay Edwards (VP of lending), Brad Dewey (EVP/CFO), Breanna Long (Tascosa branch manager), Krista Hays (Paramount branch manager), Deanna Holcomb (senior mortgage officer), Terri Van Doran (manager of systems operations), Mary Forslund (AVP of HR), Vanessa Rodriquez (manager of member service), Sherri Alexander (manager of asset protection) and Keith Hubbard (AVP of service and sales).

Access Community CU

Location: Amarillo, Texas
Assets: $122 million
Overall rank: 10
Asset category rank: 3
Reasons employees like to work here:
· Casual Fridays when employewes can wear jeans, sneakers and even occasionally fun, seasonal t-shirts
· All staff get their birthday off or a day off during the week if the CU is closed on their birthday
· The credit union covers lunch and dinner for staff volunteering at local community events.

Pictured above from left to right: Vaden Carthel (business development/marketing officer), John Hays (president and CEO), Briana Dominguez (service center lead), Christina Browder (cash department supervisor), Lindsay Edwards (VP of lending), Brad Dewey (EVP/CFO), Breanna Long (Tascosa branch manager), Krista Hays (Paramount branch manager), Deanna Holcomb (senior mortgage officer), Terri Van Doran (manager of systems operations), Mary Forslund (AVP of HR), Vanessa Rodriquez (manager of member service), Sherri Alexander (manager of asset protection) and Keith Hubbard (AVP of service and sales).

Some of the staff at Riverfront Federal Credit Union. From top left: Richard Schlamowitz (lending manager), Tim McLeod (president and CEO), Ebony McNeil (branch manager, Reading), Donna Smart (human resources specialist). Bottom left to right: Stephanie Capes (financial services representative), Cindy Troche (branch manager, Wyomissing).

Riverfront FCU

Location: Wyomissing, Pa.
Assets: $174 million
Overall rank: 16
Asset category rank: 4
Reasons employees like to work here:
· “Burgers With Bosses” cookouts where executive management cooks for the staff
· Holiday parties
· Pop-up recognition.

Pictured above: Some of the staff at Riverfront Federal Credit Union. From top left: Richard Schlamowitz (lending manager), Tim McLeod (president and CEO), Ebony McNeil (branch manager, Reading), Donna Smart (human resources specialist). Bottom, from left: Stephanie Capes (financial services representative), Cindy Troche (branch manager, Wyomissing).

For more on Riverfront FCU, click here.

Landings Credit Union staff (from left to right): Adrianne Rexius (chief HR officer), Karen Barton (chief administrative officer), Margaret Hunnicutt (CEO, Brian Lee (CFO), Cecilia Ashe (chief business development and lending officer) Bill Conti (COO).

Landings CU

Location: Tempe, Ariz.
Assets: $167 million
Overall rank: 26
Asset cateogry rank: 5
Reasons employees love to work here:
· Off-site breakfast with the CEO once per quarter for non-management employees
· Spirit week in October
· Discounted and interest-free loans for staff.

Pictured above: Landings Credit Union staff (from left): Adrianne Rexius (chief HR officer), Karen Barton (chief administrative officer), Margaret Hunnicutt (CEO), Brian Lee (CFO), Cecilia Ashe (chief business development and lending officer) and Bill Conti (COO).

Colorado CU

Location: Littleton, Colo.
Assets: $181 million
Overall rank: 27
Asset category rank: 6
Reasons employees like to work here:
· The credit union offers 100 percent coverage for employees on health, dental, vision, LTD, health advocate and life insurance
· The credit union’s employee assistance program (EAP) includes travel assistance as well as free will preparation
· At each home Colorado Rockies home game, four employees enjoy a break from the normal workday and head to the ballpark for a fun and relaxing day with their co-workers, all courtesy of the credit union.

Pictured above: Colorado Credit Union employees are treated to a day “out of the office” to attend a Colorado Rockies baseball game with their coworkers.

Red Crown Credit Union - Best CUs 2018.jpg

Red Crown CU

Location: Tulsa, Okla.
Assets: $204 million*
Overall rank: 30
Asset category rank: 7
Reasons employees like to work here:
· After 90 days on the job, staff can contribute to their retirement fund
· Once a month, senior management publicly shares a story of a staff member who went above and beyond for another staff person or member
· The credit union provides $100 per employee to perform a random act of kindness for a person or organization.

Pictured above: Red Crown Credit Union raised funds for a local high school’s choir program. From left: Roy Kerns (assistant branch manager), Mayes High School choir teacher, and Tara Stubblefield and Bailey Gayer (member services representatives).

*Credit union was under $200 million at time of application.

First Alliance CU

Location: Rochester, Minn.
Assets: $181 million
Overall rank: 34
Asset category rank: 8
Reasons employees like to work here:
· Staff can wear jeans to work every Friday and Saturday, which promotes a fun and relaxed atmosphere
· During the holidays, senior management coordinates a fun event where staff fill stockings with trinkets and treats, which are anonymously exchanged among participants
· The CEO has an open-door policy where employees are encouraged to ask questions, share ideas or concerns.

Pictured above: First Alliance CU employees having fun on jeans day Friday.

St. Paul FCU

Location: St. Paul, Minn.
Assets: $172 million
Overall rank: 35
Asset category rank: 9
Reasons employees like to work here:
· The credit union gives gift cards to every employee to buy their Thanksgiving turkey
· The credit union encourages staff to participate in volunteer activities with charitable and civic organizations within the community. Each employee receives eight hours per year to volunteer during regular work hours
· St. Paul FCU offers employees free Minnesota State Fair tickets.

Pictured above: St. Paul Federal CU’s “National Night Out Celebration – It’s All About Service.” Member Service Representative Daniella Tirado (left) and Teller Anthony Gonzales help a future member with refreshments.

TransWest Credit Union

TransWest CU

Location: Salt Lake City, Utah
Assets: $138 million
Overall rank: 44
Asset category rank: 10
Reasons employees like to work here:
• The credit union celebrates quirky holidays like the Star Wars themed “May the Fourth.” Employees are encouraged to dress accordingly.
• Staff can take part in FitBit challenges, with the team that walks the most mileage receiving cash rewards.
• TransWest’s “Wow Project” encourages employees to combine their personal career path with the credit union’s strategic plan. If deemed successful, they can earn an extra $1,000.

Pictured above: During the 2018 TransWest Golf tournament, the credit union raised almost $7000 for the charity: www.donorschoose.org.

Southwest Financial FCU

Location: Dallas, Texas
Assets: $62 million
Overall rank: 47
Asset category rank: 11
Reasons employees like to work here:
· Employees birthdays and work anniversaries are recognized by senior management
· Employees are eligible for fully or partially paid parental leave for the birth or adoption of a child
· Employees are eligible to receive a “Token Recognition” award that is given for going above and beyond, and can be given by any employee.

Pictured here: The Southwest Financial Team sporting summer attire while raising funds for the North Texas Food Bank. As a special thank you, the “Fun Committee” surprised the team with popsicles.