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Employee benefits

The Best Credit Unions to Work For with assets from $200M - $500M

ByW.B. King
September 18, 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 between $200 million and $500 million in assets are attracting and retaining top employees, and check back throughout the week for more!

Northern Credit Union’s senior management and staff enjoy a summer boat cruise.

Northern Credit Union

Location: Watertown, N.Y.
Assets: $250 million
Overall rank: 5
Asset category rank: 1
Reasons employees like to work here:
· Paid time off to volunteer for local organizations
· Staff dresses down and goes “casual for a cause” once a month to raise money for local charities
· Pot luck lunches for holidays and just because

Pictured above: Northern Credit Union’s senior management and staff enjoy a summer boat cruise.
Idaho State University Federal Credit Union employee “voluntealers” celebrate the fifth anniversary of “COSTCO Shop Night,” welcoming back Idaho State University students.

Idaho State University FCU

Location: Pocatello, Idaho
Assets: $238 million
Overall rank: 15
Asset category rank: 2
Reasons employees like to work here:
· Massage chairs are available for employee use during the work day
· Annual Halloween costume/decoration contest between departments/branches with monetary awards top winners
· Occasional silly contests to improve employee morale and create a culture that enhances the workplace experience.

Pictured above: ISU Credit Union employee “voluntealers” celebrate "Costco Shop Night" welcoming back Idaho State University students.
OMNI's Community CU's 2017 Developing Leaders Class proudly displays their certificates of accomplishment.

OMNI Community Credit Union

Location: Battle Creek, Mich.
Assets: $400 million
Overall rank: 20
Asset category rank: 3
Reasons employees like to work here:
· Team Member Bonus program shares the CU’s earnings with staff. In the last 10 years the credit union has returned more than $20,000 to full-time employees and more than $10,000 to part-time staff
· Weekly pay days
· Jeans days are used as rewards and encouragement, while food days give staff the opportunity to break bread together, share recipes and spend time with one another

Pictured above: OMNI's Community CU's 2017 Developing Leaders Class proudly displays their certificates of accomplishment.
Staff at Rocky Mountain Law Enforcement Federal Credit Union. Front row, from left: Ashly Torres (branch manager), Judy Yodonise (branch manager), Beckie Gibson (business development manager), Lauren Lawrence (branch supervisor), Melinda Mayotte (CFO), Jessica Smedes (COO) and Christine Wiley (president and CEO). Back row: Derek Horton (systems and applications engineer), Angel Diaz (branch manager), Cary Karcher (VP of branch performance) and Jill Lopez (branch manager).

Rocky Mountain Law Enforcement FCU

Location: Denver, Col.
Assets: $222 million
Overall rank: 21
Asset category rank: 4
Reasons employees like to work here:
· Annual bonuses
· Holiday parties
· Internal social media for constant communication among staff at all levels

Pictured above: Front row, from left: Ashly Torres (branch manager), Judy Yodonise (branch manager), Beckie Gibson (business development manager), Lauren Lawrence (branch supervisor), Melinda Mayotte (CFO), Jessica Smedes (COO) and Christine Wiley (president and CEO). Back row: Derek Horton (systems and applications engineer), Angel Diaz (branch manager), Cary Karcher (VP of branch performance) and Jill Lopez (branch manager).
The Simplicity Credit Union management team

Simplicity Credit Union

Location: Marshfield, Wis.
Assets: $249 million
Overall rank: 22
Asset category rank: 5
Reasons employees like to work here:
· Community event sponsorships, with attendance and volunteer opportunities open and encouraged for all Simplicity team members
· Family atmosphere
· Credit union hosted an "Eclipse Party" for last year's solar eclipse, providing snacks and eclipse viewing glasses for staff, members and the community.

Pictured above: Simplicity Credit Union's management team.
Town Country CU 2018.jpg

Town and Country Credit Union

Location: Scarborough, Maine
Assets: $372 million
Overall rank: 23
Asset category rank: 6
Reasons employees like to work here:
· The credit union offers free pizza to staff on snow days
· The credit union has a craft beer brew club with samplings, tastings and grilled foods
· The credit union supports themed work days, such as Star Trek Day and Patriots Day.

Pictured above: Senior management and employees gather during volunteer day at a Habitat for Humanity home. In addition to volunteering to help build several of the houses in this 13-home development in the local community, the credit union has also provided financing for seven of these homes.
Atomic CU 2018.jpg

Atomic Credit Union

Location: Piketon, Ohio
Assets: $325 million
Overall rank: 25
Asset category rank: 7
Reasons employees like to work here:
· Every year Atomic hosts the “Ugliest Christmas Sweater” contest
· Each year the credit union closes its doors to hold “Training Symposium Day” for one day, allowing staff from 13 locations congregate for a fun day of training
· Atomic CU’s retirement plan contributes 10 percent of the employee’s annual salary divided on a quarterly basis.

Pictured above: Administration employees at the CU’s Piketon, Ohio headquarters celebrate Halloween Costume Day.
Infinity CU 2018.jpg

Infinity Credit Union

Location: Westbrook, Maine
Assets: $348 million
Overall rank: 31
Asset category rank: 8
Reasons employees like to work here:
· During employee appreciation week, the credit union hires a massage therapist onsite to provide free massages
· Employees who work 37.5 hours per week are paid weekly
· On an employee’s five year work anniversary, he or she is awarded five “sabbatical” days off.

Pictured above: Infinity FCU employees volunteered at The Boys & Girls Club of Riverton for their Random Act of Kindness. They joined the kids in relay racing, checkers, face painting and served ice cream as a surprise! They all enjoyed some fun in the sun and making a difference in the community.
My Community CU 2018.jpg

My Community Credit Union

Location: Midland, Texas
Assets: $380 million
Overall rank: 41
Asset category rank: 9
Reasons employees like to work here:
· Every year the credit union sponsors a toy drive for local children
· Staff awards for excellence are presented on a quarterly and annual basis
· The credit union matches five percent of 401(k) contributions.

Pictured above: My Community CU employees (from left to right) Briana, Skye, Selena, Amaranda and Megan dressed as pirates for Halloween.
Parkside CU 2018.jpg

Park Side CU

Location: Whitefish, Mont.
Assets: $234 million
Overall rank: 48
Asset category rank: 10
Reasons employees like to work here:
· Park Side supports employees wearing jeans on Fridays and Saturdays.
· Management works with staff who are parents so they can attend children’s school and sporting events
· The credit union sponsors “Active Life Reimbursement,” an annual refund for purchase of items that promote activity.

Pictured above: Serving up Sweet Peaks Ice Cream on a hot summer day for Kalispell Parks & Rec, one the CU’s 2017 Park Side Partner recipients.
W.B. King
Employee benefits Employee engagement Employee turnover Employee relations Employee retention Employee communications Workplace culture Workplace management Best Credit Unions to Work For
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