Raiz FCU names new EVP of Member Experience and EVP of Administration
Michael Morales and Kiana Wright Assume New Roles in the Executive Team
EL PASO, TX (December 20, 2022) — Raiz Federal Credit Union is exited to announce the selection of Michael Morales for the new role of Executive VP of Member Experience and Kiana Wright for the new role of Executive VP of Administration. Michael was formerly the VP of Real Estate and Business Lending, and Kiana previously held the role of VP of Consumer Lending. Together the Executive VP’s will assist in providing direction to their specified departments and ensure that the delivery of quality service is current, effective, and consistent. These new roles were critical to address the exiting growth that the credit union is going through.
Michael has worked with Raiz for over a year before transitioning to his new role. His career before the credit union involved 18+ years of management experience working with large financial institutions that include WestStar Bank, Strategic Growth Bancorp, Navy Federal Credit Union, and Wells Fargo & Company. Michael is a natural leader having served in multiple community outreach committees and boards to include Board Chair for Junior Achievement, Board Treasurer for Money Smart Week El Paso, and Board Member for the Borderplex Alliance. “Expect more than others think is possible; Dream more than others think is practical; Risk more than others think is safe”, is a quote that he often reminds himself and his team of to continue achieving career success.
Kiana has worked with Raiz for over two years and has brought over 20 years of consumer lending experience to the credit union. Prior to joining the Raiz team, Kiana held various leadership roles including Lending Analyst Manager and Indirect Loan Underwriter at VyStar Credit Union and Senior Credit Analyst at National Auto Finance and most recently as the Vice President of Consumer Lending at Community First Credit in Jacksonville, Florida. She sets an example for her team by leading with passion and shares her vision, “Everyone deserves to reach their financial goals. My focus is to create new opportunities that revolve around innovate products and services.” Kiana has shown her commitment to making a difference for El Pasoans time and time again with creative financial solutions. With the support and direction of this newly appointed executive team, Raiz looks forward to reaching new horizons in 2023.
Michael Morales
Kiana Wright
About Raiz Federal Credit Union
At Raiz (pronounced as "rise" in English and "rah-EES" in Spanish), our members and strong, vibrant community inspire us daily. We share a passion for knowledge and the pursuit of growth, grounded in our heritage as El Paso Area Teachers Federal Credit Union (TFCU). Today, we guide members from many professions to focus on their goals and help them get here. We're proud of our roots in El Paso (since 1936) as we envision a bold path forward, leading the way with passion. We are over 70,000 members strong and provide a full range of high-quality financial services at the great rates and low costs you can expect from a first-class credit union. Join us and experience the difference that comes from working with people who care.
The meaning behind our name:
Spanish for root, our new identity grows from our heritage in the community. Grounded in the roots of our beginning with teachers, sharing a passion for knowledge and pursuit of growth. We inspire our members and employees to feel connected to our future potential together. We are rising and inviting people to move forward with us. As we look out to the light over the Franklin Mountains rising from El Paso, we look up and ahead to an even brighter tomorrow.
