South Carolina Federal Credit Union’s Post

🌐 ‘A Guide to Careers in Credit’ covers a range of credit roles and the skills in-demand in the job market today. Elevate your career—download now https://ow.ly/Uw7U50SfcBz #SustainableFinance #CareerDevelopment #creditanalysis #creditcareers

Mom and dad had a calendar and every night about 12:30 AM when he got home from his two jobs, they would X off that day. The retirement count was on. As a factory worker and a high school janitor, he worked 16 hours a day so they could enjoy a comfortable life in their golden years. At 65, he never looked back. To paraphrase the great Paul Harvey, here’s the rest of that story. Thousands of 70-80 and 90 somethings are at their desk every day. Example: ·  Meryl Street – 75 has been nominated for 21 academy awards and has taken home Oscar three times and at 83, Al Pacino is still an active screen icon ·  Warren Buffett – at 94 he continues to steer Berkshire Hathaway ·  Isabel Maxwell– 74 co-founder of Magellan continues to influence the tech world One of the great things about this country is that you can most times decided when work is over. Indeed, there are those whose life circumstance causes them to continue to work past their desired time. That can be sad for sure. I vividly recall seeing senior businesspeople sitting on airplanes and rather than think ‘I hope I don’t have to do that when I am their age,’ my thought process went to ‘I hope I am healthy enough to do this thing I love when I am their age.’ If the Lord deems, I turn 75 next year. I’m hoping what’s ahead in 2025 is the best from every perspective. It begins on October 6 when I have the immense privilege of being back with my friends in Chicago for a program at the 2024 ABA Marketing Conference with my friends Michael Wozniak, EVP at St. Charles Bank & Trust and Sara Henderson Allen, Chief Growth Officer at RelPro, Inc.. I was just named Chairman Emeritus at St. Meyer & Hubbard, Inc. the company I founded in 2000 with my good friend Bob St. Meyer. I will have no day-to-day responsibilities or any vote on the direction the company is headed. I will spend my time talking with bankers about how to have better sales conversations, how to improve their Performance Cultures, working with boards to better understand their role in the sales process and some exciting new projects that I can talk about soon. Of course, I continue to partner with my good friend Brynne Tillman as The Modern Banker helps bankers integrate #LinkedIn into the sales process. Some exciting stuff coming up with Michigan Bankers Association, Illinois Bankers Association and Independent Bankers Association of New York State (IBANYS). In some ways, I’m busier now than ever. Calls for 2025 speaking dates are coming in and I am energized by every one of them. When I was a young banker, my first CEO used to say that age was only a number. As I looked at the lines in his face and his white hair, I didn’t give that comment a second thought. The clock turns quickly and the calendar pages rollover faster as the years progress. Today, wearing those facial lines and brushing that white hair, I can repeat that age is only a number and every day I wake up with excitement and passion for those better things ahead.

If you are looking to develop your career in credit, you will found the next webinar by the Global Institute of Credit Professionals very helpful.

NEW JOB, NEW PERSPECTIVE I plunged into my first week at Farm Credit Bank of Texas with lots of excitement and also with a bit of nerves.  I went into this new adventure looking forward to the opportunities before me to learn and grow in my career.  At the same time, I thought about the fact my entire banking career has been with smaller organizations, which includes one commercial bank and two Farm Credit associations all under $2.5B in assets.  Now I have the opportunity to work for a funding bank with over $37B in assets – more than 15 times the size of the largest institution for which I have ever worked.  I felt a sense of inadequacy that I would just be a “small fish in a big pond” and this relationship would be more take than give on my part.  What does someone like me have to offer such a large, sophisticated organization?  Then something really interesting happened; my peers, leaders, and even Bank executives said things like:  “How have you done this in the past?” “What can you tell us about this industry?” “If you have ideas for enhancements, please let us know.”  With that I realized despite coming from a small organization, despite what I perceived as limited experience, I still have something to bring to the table.  While I know I will learn more from my peers and leaders than I teach them, it won’t be completely one-sided; I do have something to give. The next time you are contemplating a big change and trying something new, but feel like you are too insignificant or don’t have the knowledge or skills for it, DO IT ANYWAY!  We all bring unique perspectives, experiences, skills, and knowledge.  Everyone can contribute something no matter how big or small.  Take the leap and see what the next chapter holds for you.

Excited to be at the Branch County 9th Grade Career Day this morning at the Dearth Center! 🎉 We’re here to inspire and share insights into the world of banking with our next generation of leaders. Students are stopping by our booth to learn more about careers in finance and how Century Bank and Trust can help you achieve your future goals! #CareerDay #NextGen #CenturyBankAndTrust #InvestInYourFuture"

Brian Hutchin, executive vice president and director of Healthcare Services, joins us on the UMB blog to share insight from his life and career. He shares, "I often connect life milestones to music, and believe that life can be like a mixtape, a new track for each job you embark on, a few skips here and there as you determine what you want out of life, and in the end, you have compiled a collection of every triumph and failure." #UMBCareers

The day finally came, which saw me log out at 6:46PM yesterday, and walk out the doors of 530 Collins Street one last time. I have now officially left Suncorp, after 12 years of employment. I remember my first interview like it was yesterday. It was a hot day in October 2011. Waiting outside 601 St Kilda Road all suited up - jobless - I watched a large number of employees head out the building for lunch break, hoping to become one of them. I walked into Vamsi's convenience store to get out of the heat and get bottle of coke. I was interviewed by Peter Strangis, who became my leader. Two years later he supported my decision to work part time and study a Bachelor of Business, which I completed in 2015. I joined the Credit Hire team (SRAS/SS&L) in late 2016. For years, I enjoyed my role, mentored by none other than Joshua Mangan. But a few years later I realised I was going nowhere fast; I was in the best shape of my life but lacked career direction, living in the moment too much and not planning ahead. I wasn't managing my savings well either. The only viable way I could progress and continue enjoying Credit Hire matters was to get a Law Degree. Then came 2020. We were locked down, uncertain of when life would ever return to normal. In a team of only 5 consultants, vamsi, Rasha and I with a few others handled Litigated Credit Hire Disputes in a volatile and rapidly changing environment. I had an important meeting with our leader Mate Beros, who helped me come up with two goals/options; enrol into law school, or get promoted. I was contemplating enrolment. Raphael Hermiz reminded me that if I didn't enrol, it would still take me 3-4 years to complete in addition to however long it took me to get started. So I took the plunge. AND I ACHIEVED BOTH! I enrolled at Central Queensland University in July 2020. On 31st December 2020, I was successful in my application for a Technical Advisor ('TA') role, in a Queensland based Commercial Rec & Set team. Thanks to lockdown, I became a virtual Queenslander (lol). I was working and studying full time. I joined the External Customer Relations team led by Daniel Lucht in October 2022. The pinnacle of claims dispute resolution. Surrounded by experts, I was here for the ultimate 12 month challenge. What I would learn and the personal development I attained here was enormous. I finished my Law Degree last year in October. I looked forward to returning to my substantive role as a better version of myself, so I could serve alongside my leader and mentor Maree Richard-Preston as a TA one last time whilst seeking a Law Graduate role. I start my new role next Monday. Thankyou Suncorp for a memorable journey, full of growth, fun, opportunity and personal development. And thanks to everyone I met along the way who contributed positively to this journey - if you haven’t been tagged above, feel free to comment below with a positive memory we shared. #suncorp #leaving #resignation #goodbye #growth #opportunity

Weekly Appreciation: Scott Perry Let’s celebrate the good in each other, one person at a time…. I joined Conseco in 2006, a high-risk, high-reward opportunity that demanded serious effort for any chance of success. My role was significant, but with many layers of senior management, I wasn’t truly in charge. Despite this, I came in confident that we could make a real difference. Even small improvements in this notoriously volatile division would be seen as a major win. Within a year, we were making progress. Our work led to the creation of an independent trust, reducing liabilities and transforming Conseco. With this shift, I knew it was time to consider my next move. That’s when Scott Perry, President of Bankers Life, entered the picture. His stellar reputation and confidence in my potential made me feel that transitioning to Bankers Life was the right choice. I accepted a role that came with a “stay bonus” and a chance for future advancement, despite lacking the equity and executive title I desired. Working with Scott was like a master class in leadership. Within 18 months, I was promoted to VP, reporting directly to him. Scott’s charisma and ability to connect with people were unmatched, but what stood out most was his skill in communication. He was an exceptional listener, able to distill complex information into clear, actionable points, and he had a talent for resolving conflicts without creating winners and losers. Under Scott’s mentorship, I thrived, eventually taking on an SVP role overseeing underwriting across all of CNO Financial’s subsidiaries. This experience was profoundly rewarding, and the lessons I learned from Scott—about communication, leadership, and collaboration—continue to shape my career. Our time together ended in 2016, but the impact he made remains. Though we don’t speak often, I know Scott is always just a call away. For his wisdom, guidance, and enduring support, I will always be grateful.

In 2019, I packed all my things and moved across the country I had no idea what was in store for me. I was moving from Chicago to California. It was a leap of faith, leaving almost 17 years at US Bank for an opportunity at a new bank. I wasn’t 100% sure it was the right move. I was leaving comfort and stability. I was rolling the dice. If this were a fairy tale, here’s what would come next: “And it was absolutely the right decision! My new job turned out to be perfect, I was happier than ever, and I have zero regrets.” But this is real life. So here’s what happened: 91 days after moving to California, my job was eliminated. The new bank was sold in a last-minute transaction, and they didn’t have a need for duplicate positions, so I was out of work. (It wasn’t exactly the fairy tale I had planned on.) But Fraymond and I got our bearings in California, I ended up working with another bank for nearly 4 years, and it happened again! The bank was sold and I found myself unemployed. But this time was different as I had a plan well in advance. I learned the skill of trading which allowed me the ability to replace my income and to have the freedom of being reliant on Corporate America. I can truly say I’ve never been happier. In life, we all want a crystal ball. But life is reality. And in reality, crystal balls don’t exist. A lot of the time, we have to make big decisions without the certainty that they’ll go well. And sometimes, those decisions don’t go well. Sometimes, they go horribly. But if that experience taught me anything, it’s that it really doesn’t matter whether or not you make the “right” decision. All that matters is that you make the decision right. ❤️

40 years ago, on 4th September 1984, I started at Barclays, Altrincham. After working across the country for many years, in too many roles to mention, I have ended up back in Manchester. So what have I learned in 40 years? 1. You learn more from your mistakes, than your successes. And I have had plenty. But that is where I have learned the most. It’s all about the ‘scars on your back’. 2. Concentrate on what you are good at. For years I have had different development plans looking at where I can improve. It was a waste of time. Spend your time trying to be great at something. Anything. 3. What ever your role, be enthusiastic and infectious. If your job is about producing data, talking to clients or giving presentations. Be memorable, be different. 40 years goes quickly. Enjoy it.