Business View Magazine | January 2021

277 BUSINESS VIEW MAGAZINE JANUARY 2021 UNI TED FEDERAL CREDI T UNION about that.” Terry O’Rourke, President & CEO, adds, “Our team lives by the motto: We help first, and there’s a member at the end of every request.” The United branch staff is also highly engaged with the community. According to Kimetha Firpo, Senior Vice President of Human Resources, “The whole management structure is designed to help us connect with communities in each of our locations. We emphasize that further by offering a Volunteer Day Off. Each employee gets one per year, and they can take it however they want – to support the organization, or to support a community cause that speaks to them.” United also runs a Pay It Forward program that provides $20 to every employee to give to a person, family, or organization in need. “The program grew out of our annual holiday party planning,” says Firpo. “Staff were brainstorming ways to celebrate with our teams, and they felt they should think about others during the holiday season. They decided to take the funds that were earmarked for internal holiday celebrations and give them back to the community.” In 2020, United donated more than $17,000 to 63 different individuals and community organizations across six states during its 13th annual Pay It Forward initiative. “What’s exciting is that staff members make donations on top of what United gives them,” Firpo adds. “Internally, we share with each other how we’re supporting people in the community. I think it’s really fitting for the time of year, and it reinforces what we’re all about.” Credit unions understand better than most financial institutions that non-financial factors, such as client relationships, have long-term financial impact. O’Rourke believes United’s acclaimed reputation, credibility, and innovative banking products are rooted in “Team United” and their employees’ unwavering commitment to taking care of members. “Their performance over the COVID-19 pandemic has been nothing short of heroic,” he says. “Despite personal challenges that might have impacted them, everybody showed up