South Bay Credit Union Business Development Officer helps members have financial peace of mind
REDONDO BEACH, CA (February 11, 2020) — South Bay Credit Union Business Development Officer Andy Catania has just been on the job since last September, but his efforts have helped the credit union reach and develop more new members.
His initial career foray was in the big box retail industry. It is this arena—working for, among others, Kmart—that he received extensive sales and service training experience. Catania took this experience into the credit union industry, starting in 2006—and continuing today at South Bay CU in Redondo Beach, CA.
“My primary focus has been to truly connect with each individual I meet at various Select Employment Groups (SEGs) and help him or her start a savings account through a payroll allotment,” he said. “Once the relationship has been established, I seek to improve his or her financial health in any way possible.”
Catania does this by educating potential members and members on financial matters, such as interest rates and refinancing loans. He talks to them about how to accomplish short-term goals through setting up specific savings accounts like for a family vacation or holidays.
“Often, they just need someone to help them understand the basics of finances so they can start their own financial planning in earnest,” Catania said.
The Gardena, CA resident is also on a never-ending quest for companies willing to add South Bay CU as a soft benefit for their employees benefit package. This quest has led to not only the credit union experiencing a surge in membership growth but also the business community in its service area perceiving the credit union as one way to improve their employees’ quality of life by reducing financial stress. With services such as short-term loans, credit products, and financial education resources, employees can have financial peace of mind, which in turn can create loyal and focused employees, according to Catania.
So how does he feel he has impacted the credit union and the community with his efforts? “The impact I create with our members, the community, and the credit union are strictly aligned. We benefit collectively. Over the last 14 years working within the credit union industry I’ve signed up between 5,000 and 6,000 members. Most of them had never heard of a credit union before our initial introduction, or if they had heard about us, they thought they could not belong to one. Delivering the message and breaking down those barriers, helping people succeed financially has been a very rewarding and satisfying experience,” he said.
For its part, South Bay CU has welcomed him to the team with open arms. We couldn’t be more thrilled with the addition of Andy to Team South Bay,” said CEO Jennifer Oliver. “Andy is very passionate about the credit union movement and it comes through in every contact he has. Andy embodies our purpose and is doing his best to share the credit union spirit.”
Andy Catania.
About South Bay Credit Union
Since 1953, South Bay Credit Union (SBCU) has served residents in Los Angeles County’s South Bay area and currently operates two branches in Redondo Beach and one in Lomita. SBCU offers a wide range of financial products and services, including checking and savings accounts, mortgage, auto, credit card and personal loans, overdraft protection, payroll deduction and direct deposit, notary services, and more. Members also have surcharge-free access to a nationwide network of 28,000 credit union ATMs. SBCU exists to uplift communities by empowering members to live better and do better. To learn more, visit www.southbaycu.com
