Consumer Lending

Part of Marie Jacobsen’s story included a rare look into the life of her father, a nuclear physicist, who was part of an emergency response team to decommission nuclear reactors – one of the most notable saving Fukushima, Japan from nuclear destruction in 2011. Marie said she loves working at Marine Credit Union. “The support here has been amazing. I have never met more supportive people … ever. I feel very connected to them.”

“I believe everything in life happens for a reason,” Tricia said while sharing that her parents divorced when she was a child. “My mom and dad loved each other, but they were not soulmates. They are happier now. Everything is just a stepping-stone so that you can learn and grow. Every challenge you go through … it strengthens your character.”

Paul Hansmeier grew up around family who instilled him with values such as honesty, humility, hard work and respect. His empathetic nature and desire to help others aligns with MCU’s mission. At MCU, he said, “I’m surrounded by like-minded people with common purposes. It’s not a negative environment. It goes back to the way I was raised.”

Ryan Holbrook shared what he appreciates about working at MCU. Ryan said, “I can’t think of anything bad working here.” He said he shares the same goal as MCU, “trying to do the best for our members and help them out as much as we can.” The payoff for Ryan “is watching members you’ve helped grow, turn their life around and fight their way out of financial hardship.”

Amy Bryant is grateful for her upbringing in Whitefish, Montana before that area, near Glacier National Park, was overtaken by tourists. She later went through challenges in her life but now is happy in her personal and professional life. She said that she aligns with MCU’s values in helping members overcome their own challenges. “I hope that I’m doing good … doing good with our mission. I have a lot of compassion. I know I’m in the right company with MCU.”

Erica Plaza is grounded in her traditional values in her personal and professional life. She said that Marine Credit Union’s core values “speak” to her. “I am where I have to be, career-wise,” Erica commented. “It is my calling to be here.”

Cassandra Sears shares her own personal story of financial hardship and compares it to many of the members she now serves as an MCU Consumer Loan Officer. “It’s why I wake up and go to work,” she said. “Those are the people we are able to help. We really get to change the course of their lives just by listening to them.”

“Bank” Mary Jo Healey, Marine Credit Union (MCU) Market Manager said jokingly, “is a four-letter word.” The mission behind a credit union, Mary Jo said, “is in my bones. My number one priority is what is in the best interest of the member.” At MCU, Mary Jo said, “We always make sure to put our members in a better position when they leave than when they came in, or give them the tools to get there.”

Veronica Segovia emigrated from Puerto Rico in 2017 after Hurricane Maria devastated the island that she called home. Facing culture shock and racism after coming to the U.S. heightened her passion to serve people who have faced similar difficulties in their own lives. “I am an imperfect person trying to be like Jesus,” she shared in her interview. She said her job at MCU is rewarding in that it allows her to live her life helping others.

Clark Doyle shared that MCU once approved his sister for a loan after she had been turned down everywhere else. “She was really sad she couldn’t get approved,” he shared. “She felt she wasn’t a good person or something.” Clark said he thinks it’s “pretty cool” to work for MCU, an organization that helps “a lot of people out of a lot of situations.” He said, “It’s great to see where we can put people in the future.”

At the age of five, Ervin Topcic and his family immigrated to the U.S. due to inhumane war crimes and an ethnic cleansing campaign in their village during the Bosnian War. Ervin shared stories of unspeakable events he and his family went through to emigrate and survive. He said that being successful now in his life and career, where he is able to support others, keeps him thankful. “You just gotta love life because you don’t know what tomorrow brings.”

Abi Ruediger said she is “very lucky” and blessed with her family, her work family, and her job at Marine Credit Union. Having previously recovered from her own financial hardships, Abi approaches those she serves as a Consumer Loan Office with compassion and empathy, even sharing her own story to help others learn to recover.

After a few career moves, Joshua Russell said of Marine Credit Union, “The buck stops here. God orders our steps and everything we do. MCU aligns with how I like to help people – empower people. It’s not just about closing the deal,” he added. “We help people take control of their finances.”

Sabina Guyer said she learned that it is important to have compassion after growing up in a broken home and having spent time in foster care. She now spends time learning about those she serves and listening to their stories. “It’s not about the sales numbers,” she said. “It’s about knowing that I am helping people in my community.”

Evan Schwanke’s goal is to lead with compassion and empathy and help people who are his friends and neighbors. “Treat others the way you want to be treated,” Evan said. And at MCU, he added, “We mean it here.”

Following in her own mother’s example, Amy Ortega shared that she loves to help people. “I tend to want to be giving,” Amy shared. “I was shocked to work for a place who loved me for that.”