The types of services and the way financial institutions deliver them is changing fast, at least according to Hanscom FCU, which has created a Financial Wellness Team charged with developing unique programs to guide members and members of the communities it serves through the twists and turns of their unique financial journeys.
“Helping people improve their financial lives is central to the value that we provide as a Financial Institution,” said Dan Ziniti, Hanscom FCU’s Chief Strategy Officer. “This goes beyond simply providing the products and services that people need. It means giving them the tools they need to get and stay on track, and also to be there when they need someone to turn to for guidance. Our new team is uniquely positioned within the credit union and uniquely skilled to bring this vision to life.”
The Financial Wellness Team will be led by Hanscom FCU’s own Maria Porto, who has been elevated to the role of Vice President, Financial Wellness. She will lead the effort as the credit union brings into sharp focus its mission of being the trusted advisor that members turn to for unbiased financial guidance. Financial education and member engagement have been central to 20 year career at Hanscom FCU. Porto most recently led Hanscom FCU’s Partner Relations Team, where her award-winning team provided financial education seminars and webinars for both members and the general public, and she, in her new role, will bring the goal of financial wellness to every corner of the credit union.
“Member education and financial wellness is more than just what any one team at Hanscom FCU does,” said Porto, “but really is the purpose of the entire credit union. Every member interaction – from opening a savings account to opening a line of credit or reviewing a credit report – is about helping guide that member toward greater financial security.”
Providing tailored solutions, rather than simple off-the-shelf financial education resources, is central to what the Financial Wellness Team will do. To help bring the personal aspect to life, Maria will be joined by Mike Rzeszutek, Assistant Vice President, Financial Wellness Coaching. Rzeszutek has been with Hanscom FCU for nearly a decade and in the credit union industry for 15 years. Formerly Hanscom FCU’s AVP, Sales and Service, Rzeszutek provided detailed product training to employees, ensuring they were able to match members’ individual needs to appropriate Hanscom FCU products and services. His work ensured that member-facing staff were always aware of the latest product updates and were able to provide support to members’ unique situations.
Porto added, “I’m excited for Mike and the team to bring that new way of thinking to every person in the organization. Bringing this viewpoint and developing educational skills with every department will create so many more opportunities to help members and prospective members. I see this as the start of a new era for Hanscom FCU.”
“To me, the most exciting thing as we align our organization towards our mission is the positive impact that we can have on our members’ lives,” said Ziniti. “We’ll actually be able to do something novel in pursuit of our mission statement where previously we got pulled down into the day-to-day. We’ve made several advancements recently to provide a more personalized digital experience to our members, and through this new team we will be able to provide more holistic service to our members as well. Having Maria and Mike lead the expansion of this dedication to financial wellness is central to our vision of the future of Hanscom FCU.”
Maria Porto, Vice President, Financial Wellness, Hanscom Federal Credit Union
Mike Rzeszutek, Assistant Vice President, Financial Wellness Coaching, Hanscom Federal Credit Union