Leaders Credit Union, a member-owned financial cooperative based in Jackson, Tenn., has been named one of the 2021’s Best Credit Unions to Work For, for the third consecutive year. Credit Union Journal has partnered with Best Companies Group to identify companies that have excelled in creating quality workplaces for employees. The 2021 Best list is made up of the top 55 credit unions, and Leaders placed number one in their asset category, number one out of the Tennessee credit unions represented, and 18 overall. The complete Best Credit Unions to Work For list is featured in American Banker, formerly Credit Union Journal.
“We are honored to be named in the top twenty of credit union workplaces in the nation,” said Todd Swims, president and CEO of Leaders Credit Union. “At Leaders, we know service excellence begins with our Financial Champions, and our job at Leaders is to take care of them so that together, we can serve our members.”
Leaders Credit Union serves West Tenn. and currently has 165 employees in Jackson, Milan, Union City, Dyersburg, and Memphis and has been named the Best Place to Bank by Readers’ Choice Awards for several years in its various markets.
“Leaders champions (employees) are passionate, genuine, and advocate for our members,” said Erin Mitchell, VP of Champions. “Our reputation precedes us, and therefore, we attract others that fit our brand mold.”
Leaders benefits and company culture play a significant role in the success of the 64-year-old company. In addition to standard employee benefits, Leaders offers four weeks of paid parental leave after the birth or adoption of a child. Leaders subscribes to the AirMedCare Network, a team of life-flight helicopters that can transport employees during a medical emergency for free. Leaders encourages wellness by contributing toward the membership cost of a local gym. To support employees during the pandemic, Leaders hosted an on-site vaccine clinic for employees and each employee received a covid-19 stimulus bonus for the tremendous service they provided even with constant staffing and service challenges associated with the pandemic.
Leaders employees share that the innovative culture and relationships with fellow employees play a significant role in their overall employee satisfaction. Leaders even hosts a “Brand Champion” program that encourages employees to go above and beyond for members and to keep the brand and service top-of-mind. The Brand Committee chooses a monthly Brand Champion for further recognition.
Determining the Best Credit Unions to Work For involved a two-step process. The first consisted of evaluating each participating credit union’s workplace policies, practices, and demographics. This part of the process was worth approximately 25% of the total evaluation. The second consisted of anonymous employee surveys aimed at assessing the experiences and attitudes of individual employees concerning their workplace. This part of the process was worth approximately 75% of the total evaluation. The combined scores determined the final ranking.
To be considered for participation, credit unions had to have at least 25 employees working in the U.S. and been in business a minimum of one year. Best Companies Group managed the registration and survey process and also analyzed the data and to determine the final ranking.
“Being a member at Leaders Credit Union is a great experience. Working at Leaders is even better,” noted Mitchell. “We are constantly growing and looking for outstanding employees who make a positive impact internally and externally.”
