From wellness programs to flash mobs to community involvement and charitable causes, United Federal Credit Union promotes employees as ambassadors and rewards their efforts with group activities that also encourage and enhance teamwork.
At United Federal Credit Union, 75-80 percent of this year’s new employees were referred to the company by internal staff — this statistic in and of itself helps to show that UFCU is a great place to work.
By focusing on UFCU philosophy, people helping people, employees are able to reach beyond the walls of the office and into the community.
“UFCU employees are your friends, neighbors, and family members,” said Market Vice President Noel Sanger. “They are engaged in their communities and it means a lot to them to witness and be part of UFCU’s commitment to the community as well.”
Last year, employees donated funds for 120 schoolchildren to take home backpacks full of food on weekends.
Every holiday season, the company gives each employee $15 to donate to a charitable organization of their choosing, and oftentimes employees will pool their funds in order to have a more substantial gift. This “Pay it Forward” program can have many different results.
“As an example, in 2014, our team identified two senior citizens to help,” Sanger said. “One was lonely and wanted nothing more than company. A UFCU group paid her a visit and took dinner to share. They continue to return for visits. A second senior citizen was a quilter who received fabric and a gift card from the group.”
UFCU has been around since 1949 and has five branches in Arkansas: Van Buren, Springdale, Alma and two in Fort Smith.
“Our culture is about making sure we help consumers and business owners make the financial decisions that are best for them,” Sanger said. “Ours is not a sales culture designed to pad stockholders’ pockets, but one where we enrich the lives of members by focusing on the services and products that will help them achieve their financial goals.”
The credit union has more than 130,000 member/owners worldwide, and manages assets in excess of $1.83 billion.
That success and size is due in large part to the employees.
“Our employees are our best ambassadors and they are a big reason for our success,” Sanger said. “Our membership in Arkansas has grown 16.8 percent in the past year. That would not happen without a satisfied workforce that advocates for UFCU.”
In addition to community service, employees at UFCU also partake in a wide variety of other activities together. By promoting teamwork through recreational activities, outings like bowling, picnics or company events can additionally become team building lessons.
UFCU also offers massages as part of its wellness program and the management isn’t afraid to step out and have fun.
At the Alma grand opening, the management team started a flash mob that included more than 40 people dancing.
UFCU makes sure there is equal opportunity for everyone to work there — they actively participate in veteran job fairs across the country.
The company also focuses on being kind to the environment: recycling is the first practice and, with a recent remodel, motion sensitive, automatic lights were installed to help conserve energy.
As an organization we focus on the satisfaction of our members and our staff, but how can you provide excellent service to members if you can’t provide it to your own staff? We are all on the same team and have the same objectives. Our leadership team takes care of the employees and our employees take care of our members.
— Noel Sanger, Market Vice President
By the Numbers
$70,000 — UFCU’s contribution to community development and charitable causes in Arkansas last year.
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