Category: Blog

Wauna Credit Union has been serving members of the towns and cities surrounding the Columbia River for 52 years. Our January Anniversaries helped us start the year with a bang. We’re continuing to grow (if you want to join us check out our careers page). 

Pam Weller – 15 years

What is your current position?
My position is to oversee the growth and operations of the branches and WCU’s commercial loan department to ensure the needs of all of our members are being met. We understand that our area is special, and so are the needs and circumstances of the people who live here. On the branch side I oversee the employee growth for the Area Managers who have direct responsibility to the branch employees and the day to day operation of the branches, and with the commercial team I work to ensure the business lending needs of our members are being met, including directing commercial loan operations, underwriting and annual reviews.

What is something that working at WCU has taught you?
Working at Wanua Credit Union has been a great opportunity to learn management and leadership skills over the last 15 years. Working with and training new employees has been a very rewarding part of my position with WCU. There have been many opportunities to learn about all areas of the financial industry.

If you could choose one new hobby what would it be?
If I had a choice of a new hobby it would probably be to travel with a goal to visit every National Park in the United State.

Serena Schlosser – 4 years

What is your current position?
I am the Manager of the Lending Admin department, based out of Astoria. I get to work with all aspects of consumer loans (auto loans, credit cards, and unsecured loans). My department audits, processes, and decisions these loans. We also assist our Member Consultants in providing these products to our owner-members to build their financial well-being.

What is something that working at WCU has taught you?
Working at Wauna has taught me that the most obvious solution to a situation isn’t always the best one. Taking the time to dig deeper and really understand our members is very important in uncovering the best options that our credit union can offer to serve them.

If you could choose one new hobby what would it be?
If I could choose a new hobby it would be to restore old buildings in order to give them new purpose. I really enjoy the sense of place a building with a bit of history imparts on a community.

Others

• Randy Buholts – 10 Years
• Jenifer Katon – 6 Years
• Jeff Kratka – 2 Years
• Dave Freeman – 2 Years
• Trevor Shelby – 2 Years
• Amanda Heikkila – 2 Years
• Matt Edwards – 1 Year

There are tons of impartial financial resources available out there from government entities. The trick can be wading through the muck to find the information you’re looking for. The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency put together a great list. Read below for information on everything from avoiding scams to games for kids to teach them about their finances.

Resource Corner

AchievABLE Corner
The National Disability Institute and CalABLE offer just-in-time financial education resources and tools for potential and current CalABLE account holders.

Age-Friendly Banking and Low- to Moderate-Income Older Adults: Standards for a Growing Market
This report from the National Community Reinvestment Coalition addresses the core features and standards of personal age-friendly banking accounts that allow older adults to remain banked and secure, weather financial emergencies, and save money.

Consumer.gov
This Federal Trade Commission website provides resources about credit, debt, identity theft, and avoiding scams, as well as budgeting, opening a bank account, shopping for prepaid cards, and managing money in general. The website is available in Spanish at www.consumidor.gov.

FDIC Deposit Insurance Education Materials
The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation has made significant improvements to its deposit insurance education materials. The changes are designed to allow the public to quickly access basic information while still offering the traditional in-depth and comprehensive deposit insurance information.

Financial Scams Targeting Military Consumers
This infographic from the American Bankers Association Foundation and the Association of Military Banks of America identifies the top three riskiest scams targeting military consumers and what consumers can do to protect their money.

Focus on Native Communities Guide
This guide from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau provides organizations with information that meaningfully connects the Bureau’s Your Money, Your Goals guides to the financial lives of Native community members.

IdentityTheft.gov
This Federal Trade Commission website helps people report and recover from identity theft. It is available in Spanish at Robodeidentidad.gov.

Misadventures in Money Management
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s Office of Servicemembers Affairs offers this gamified, cutting-edge learning experience that trains current and future servicemembers to navigate financial land mines in a fun and interactive way.

MoneySKILL
The American Financial Services Association Education Foundation offers this online personal finance curriculum with 37 modules focused on a variety of topics, including income, expenses, saving and investing, credit, and insurance. The curriculum is available in Spanish.

MyMoney.gov
This U.S. Department of the Treasury website provides financial education information and resources from across the federal government. The website highlights MyMoney Five (which provides links to resources and tools related to five principles for managing money), a research clearinghouse, games for youth focused on money, and a section on financial choices for major life events.

NGPF Arcade
Next Gen Personal Finance offers seven online games that make personal finance come alive for middle and high school students.
 
OCC Financial Literacy Resource Directory
The resource directory provides information on financial literacy resources, issues, and events of importance to bankers, organizations, and consumers of all ages. The resource directory includes descriptions of, and contact information for, government programs on financial literacy education and capability and a sampling of organizations whose missions are to support financial literacy through campaigns, fact sheets, newsletters, conference materials, publications, and websites.

Older Americans Benchmarking Report
This report presents findings from the American Bankers Association Foundation’s 2019 Older Americans Benchmarking Survey which is designed to capture data on how banks educate older Americans, respond to fraudulent activity, and train their staffs to protect older customers.

Program for International Student Assessment: Financial Literacy Brief
This Consumer Financial Protection Bureau research brief helps stakeholders understand how the Program for International Student Assessment (PISA) financial literacy data about the United States may be used to identify effective approaches to financial education and better define metrics for success.

Protecting Older Consumers 2018–2019: Report of the Federal Trade Commission
This Federal Trade Commission report identifies scams perpetrated on older Americans and suggests steps to protect older consumers from fraud.

SEC Investor.gov Alerts and Bulletins
The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission’s Office of Investor Education and Advocacy provides numerous news alerts and bulletins for individual investors. Learning how to invest wisely and safely can assist investors in reaching their financial and retirement goals. These reports help inform investors about fraud and other information relevant to investing in stocks, bonds, mutual funds, and other securities.

Tax Time: An Opportunity to Start Small and Save Up
This Consumer Financial Protection Bureau report discusses the results of the Tax Time Savings Initiative for the 2019 tax season.

Too Good to Be True Video
The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission’s Office of Investor Education and Advocacy and Retail Strategy Task Force created this video, which shows common scamming tactics.

U.S. Financial Health Pulse: 2019 Trends Report and Interactive Web Site
This report from the Financial Health Network gives new insights into the financial health of Americans and offers financial services providers, innovators, policymakers, and researchers actional insights to improve financial health for all. The interactive website allows visitors to compare year-over-year trends and data.

Without a Trace
The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission’s Office of Investor Education and Advocacy and Retail Strategy Task Force created this video, which urges skepticism when paying for investments with a credit card or wiring money abroad.

We have had at least three instances in the last 24-hours of fraudsters reaching out to WCU members from a phone number that appears to be our legitimate 800 number and trying to trick them into providing information to compromise their account. Below is a summary of the scam, and what to do to protect yourself.

Once connected, the fraudsters claim to be our fraud department and attempt to collect additional information about the accounts by making up a fake “fraudulent” transaction. They then ask the member to confirm full card number, expiration date, the three digits on the back of the card, and social security number.

The fraudsters then say they will block the card to set the member at ease, and then using the information they have stolen to create a fake card, reset the PIN, and then going on a shopping spree.

The best way to fight against this is by not giving any personal information to somebody who calls. Simply hang up and call us back at 800-773-3236 Even if it’s after hours you will be connected to a trustworthy source. Remember even if it is a legitimate call from our Fraud Department they will understand when you say you want to call us back/

Here are some key things to remember:

• We will never ask for personal info to confirm your identity if we are the ones calling
• We do not have your CVV (three numbers on the back of your card) on file, and will never use it to confirm your identity
• We will never call more than three times to try to confirm fraud
• We do not currently send out text messages, and if we start they would come from a short code (being a simple five digit number) and not a full phone number
• Our fraud number is not our regular 800 number – but you can call that and follow the prompts to get the fraud department –department would NOT be calling from our 800 number as shown below. 

Here is an example of one of our members activities from last night. This fraudster called 22 times, and sent a text from a full phone number.  Luckily the WCU member was aware of the fraud signs and what to look for, and waited to come talk to us this morning rather than responding to the calls or message. 

Wauna Credit Union has been serving members of the towns and cities surrounding the Columbia River for 52 years. Our December Anniversaries were a special present for the credit union. We’re continuing to grow (if you want to join us check out our careers page). 

Amy Grubb – 7 years

What is your current position?
I have been the Member Service Manager at the Scappoose branch for 4 years now, after three years working as a Member Consultant in the St. Helens branch! I have enjoyed getting to know all our wonderful members. I get to go to work every day and work with an amazing team and get to help my wonderful members. Being in the position I am in has been a true blessing for me. The decisions I make can truly change someones life for the better. I love helping my team to grow and learn to become the best they can be. I get to be out in the community helping to tell people about Wauna. I became a part of our local Rotary club and will be the incoming president for 2020.

What is something that working at WCU has taught you?
Working at Wauna has taught me that regardless of who you are, you matter! Wauna is truly a place that’s wants to help our members and our employees. I couldn’t ask for a better place to work.

If you could choose one new hobby what would it be?
I already have a few fun hobbies like riding quads and camping, but if I could start a new hobby I would love to flip houses! My dad was a contractor my whole life and I just love taking something from being unloved and breathing new life into it!

Ashley Erickson – 4 years

What is your current position?
I am an Accountant at Wauna Credit Union. I was originally hired as an Accounting Clerk to pay the bills and balance daily transaction our members do in the branches. Now, as I have learned more within the department, I am also responsible for several higher end tasks like our Fixed Assets, producing our branch income statements, and reviewing how we are performing in regards to the budget.

What is something that working at WCU has taught you?
I have learned numerous things at WCU, one of them being the importance of giving back to our community. I am proud to work for a company that allows us to volunteer in our community and donate both time and money to local organizations and events. It is always fun getting out in the area and giving back to our members.

If you could choose one new hobby what would it be?
I would love to have my own alpaca farm! Alpacas are my favorite animal because they are so cute but also a little feisty. My coworkers surprised me with a trip to see alpacas for my birthday this year, which was so much fun – even when one of them spit at me.

Josh Rein – 3 years

What is your current position?
I’m the Digital Media Specialist at the credit union. If you’re looking at something on a screen, either in the branch, or on your computer or mobile device, there’s a good chance I had something to do with it. (Like this blog for example). We pride ourselves on service, which means in the branch, but also means we need to ensure our online service is just as people oriented.

What is something that working at WCU has taught you?
Working at Wauna has taught me to make the most out of every opportunity.

If you could choose one new hobby what would it be?
I’d like to take up photography. I take pictures sometime as part of my job, and would love to explore more, especially where nature and development intersect.

Ben Towers – 1 year

What is your current position?
I am a Member Consultant for the Astoria branch. I help our member owners maintain and build their financial well-being. I always to give members my total attention, so I can best recommend the products that fit their specific needs and wants.

What is something that working at WCU has taught you?
Credit! Wauna has taught me that credit is so important, especially when you start to look at making those big life changing purchases like a house or car. Also to use all the products that financial institutions offer. At the credit union there are a lot of products that pay dividends on your funds so you can grow your savings without having to do a thing!

If you could choose one new hobby what would it be?
I really want to start getting into photography. I’ve found a new appreciation for great photos and photographers who can see the world around them and make something really pop with a simple photo.

Others

• Rachael Eaton – 3 Years

Wauna Credit Union has been serving members of the towns and cities surrounding the Columbia River for 52 years. As we start December, we look back at the employees we are so thankful joined us in November. We’re continuing to grow (if you want to join us check out our careers page). 

Mark Crandall – 4 years

What is your current position?
My current position is Mortgage Loan Specialist. My job is great, I get to help our members obtain their home ownership goals. Sometimes that’s getting a loan to buy a prebuilt home or building their dream house, tapping into their home’s equity to make improvements, help with major life expenses, or even starting people on their road to financial independence through investment properties.

What is something that working at WCU has taught you?
Working at Wauna has taught me that you can be flexible at a financial institution. At times, you need to get the FULL story and then make a decision if it is right for the membership. I worked at a bank before this, and it was very cut and dry. Now I can help people who have a shop or farm on their property, or take another look at somebody who hasn’t been able to get financing in the past.

If you could choose one new hobby what would it be?
I’ve got a lot of hobbies already. After a 35-year break, I just started riding off-road motorcycles. I also keep active by playing golf and tennis. If I were to take up a new hobby it would be. I would like to make some of my own furniture that could be passed on to future generations.

Others

• Teresa Wemmer – 13 Years
• Brianna Malcolm – 13 Years
• Alex Peck – 6 Years
• Jeremy Grover – 5 Years
• Maday Negron – 1 Year
• Cody Roos (LPL Financial) – 1 Year