FOLSOM, Calif. – (Oct. 15, 2020) – Despite the many challenges faced in 2020, SAFE Credit Union rose to the occasion and fostered its culture and service to members to earn a Best Place to Work designation from the Sacramento
Business Journal for the third year in a row.
“This is truly a testament to the incredible culture, employees, and leadership at SAFE Credit Union,” says EVP, Chief Human Resources Officer Colleen Nerius. “This honor is especially meaningful because it was determined by our 700
employees themselves. They voluntarily shared all of the many positive aspects they enjoy about working at SAFE, including work-life balance, a dedication to families with baby bonding time and flexible work schedules, as well as a collaborative and
supportive culture where we all lift and help one another in the service of our members.”
SAFE Credit Union was named the 2020 No.1 Large Employer in The Greater Sacramento Region in the program operated by the Sacramento Business Journal. It received the same designation in 2018, and was named one of the best places to work in 2019.
“At SAFE Credit Union, we know that to have happy and loyal members, you must first have happy and loyal employees,” says President and CEO Dave Roughton. “The secret sauce is our culture. We treat our employees as unique individuals
who bring their authentic selves to serve our members. Ours is a cooperative, supportive culture, where we choose each day to provide exceptional experiences and the best solutions to our members.”
This year cast in sharp relief how important culture is to the credit union’s success in challenging times. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, SAFE leadership quickly implemented work-from-home solutions for headquarter employees and established
sanitation and social distancing protocols in branches to protect employees and members. Its all-local call center was distributed among various locations to allow for distancing to allow that crucial lifeline for members to operate seamlessly.
Employees quickly adapted to the fluid situation, and focused on their primary mission of supporting SAFE Credit Union members’ financial well-being. Teams worked around the clock to expand emergency financial services to members such as no- to
low-cost loans, expanded Skip-A-Pay options, as well as other loan forbearance solutions. The digital banking and tech teams in record time established new ways for members to more easily access those emergency services through
SAFE’s Online Banking and Mobile App. They also pushed out a robust online scheduling tool that lets members set appointments in branches and to the call center to complete more complex banking transactions.
The Business Banking team also diligently worked to secure U.S. SBA Paycheck Protection Program loans for more than 400 small businesses in the Sacramento region, providing a much-needed lifeline to local companies.
“This year, especially, is particularly meaningful because the survey was conducted in the early months of the pandemic when we were not operating under normal conditions,” Nerius said. “I believe the steps SAFE leaders took to ensure
their commitment to the health and wellbeing of our employees and members contributed to this year’s particular high scores”.
Other aspects about SAFE employees noted in the Best Places to Work survey included generous benefits, 16 hours paid time off to volunteer for causes they care about, easy access to leadership, and a strong sense that they make a positive difference in
SAFE members’ lives.
“Even though the workplace is so different right now, it’s rewarding to see that our employees continue to experience and appreciate the SAFE culture that inspires all of us to work to bring exceptional experiences to our members each day,”
Nerius says.
About SAFE
SAFE Credit Union has made members an integral part of its vision since 1940. Over the years the credit union has kept the focus on what really matters, putting members first, a formula that has seen SAFE grow into a leading financial institution in Northern
California with more than $3.5 billion in assets and about 240,000 members. SAFE crafts every cutting-edge product and sterling service with members’ needs foremost in mind. In addition to banking services conveniently available through online,
chat, mobile, or phone options, SAFE offers in-person care for members and small businesses at service centers across the Greater Sacramento region and a mortgage lending office serving Contra Costa and Alameda counties. SAFE is a not-for-profit,
state-chartered credit union with membership open to businesses and individuals living or working in Sacramento, Placer, Yolo, El Dorado, Sutter, Butte, Nevada, Solano, San Joaquin, Contra Costa, Yuba, Amador, and Alameda counties. Insured by NCUA.
www.safecu.org