Our Perry Branch is Now Open!
Podcast Transcription
Money Talk is a podcast brought to you by PFCU where we will share tips and tricks and talk to the experts on all things finance related. Join us as we cover everything from credit and loans to cyber security and careers. No matter where you are in life, PFCU is here for you.
Maddy: Thank you all for joining me today for this episode of PFCU’s Money Talk, I’m your host Maddy. I’m super excited about this bonus episode because it’s all about Stephanie Aulph, the Branch Manager for our brand-new branch in Perry! Stephanie is full of knowledge and a lot of experience and she’s ready to welcome current and new members to the branch. Our grand opening is happening all week long- October 3rd to the 7th. Come out to meet the team, enjoy some giveaways and maybe even win a prize. Our Perry location is at 150 S. Main St. Now here’s Stephanie to share a little more about herself, her background and what she’s looking forward to most in Perry.
Stephanie: I am Stephanie Aulph, I am the new branch manager of our Perry, MI location. I have been with PFCU for 7 years but I’ve worked in the financial industry for 12 years. The majority of that time has been spent in call centers and I think that’s really given me an opportunity to kind of learn a little bit of everything in the credit union, because the call center touches so many points and gives you so much more experience.
Maddy: Yeah, so were you in the call center at PFCU before you got your branch manager position?
Stephanie: Yeah, so I actually spent 6 ½ years of the 7 years I’ve been here in the call center as the team leader.
Maddy: Gotcha. Alright, so you’re going to bring lots of knowledge into that branch manager position and I think that will help a lot in a type of role like that where you still kind of touch all of those facets of the credit union.
Stephanie: Yeah, absolutely. I have lots of experience, lots of knowledge and being in call center really teaches you how to think on your toes.
Maddy: Yes, yes. So, what brought you to PFCU and why have you stayed here for 7 years?
Stephanie: So, I originally heard about PFCU through my mother-in-law. She’s actually a member and she knew I had a banking background and she had said several times, oh apply here, you know, I think you’ll love it, the girls are great. And it took me a while but I did go ahead and submit an application when I saw an opportunity that I was interested in and I’m really thankful that I did that because I really feel here at PFCU, they stay committed to my personal growth as well as the growth of our branches and encourage you to learn new things and empower you to reach for the career that you truly want.
Maddy: Yeah, I definitely agree with that. Was your goal, did you always have in mind that you wanted to become a branch manager or move to that type of role or did it just kind of naturally happen for you?
Stephanie: It naturally happened for me. I’ve always been someone who, and this is part of the reason why me being in the call center was something I loved so much, is because you know so many things, like I said. There’s so many points of the call center…the credit union, that you touch when you’re in that department and I learned everything that I could from that department and you talk to so many people over the phone, you get to know them, it’s just like having a person in front of you and I just started to crave that interaction with people again so, I decided to make the move from the phone to in-person and I’m really excited about it.
Maddy: So, is that what you’re really most looking forward to, becoming the branch manager, is having that in-person connection and being actually in the branch and talking to people?
Stephanie: It really is and from the interactions we’ve already had, I actually got to do the Perry Car Show and talk to a lot of the residents out there, people are really excited and I’m excited for them to stop on in and see us.
Maddy: Good! I was looking at my calendar and I can’t believe that it’s opening next week already. I have in my head that we’re still like a few weeks out and it’s come up so fast. Like, it feels like it’s been a long time coming. So, I’m sure you’re excited to finally get going, actually in the branch when construction’s done and all of that.
Stephanie: It’s definitely coming along so yeah, we’re very excited and you are right, it has rolled right by. I had someone today and I had to correct myself because I said, oh you know, really soon, not far from here, you know we’ll be opening a branch in Perry and I was like, wait, it’ll be next week!
Maddy: Yeah! It’ll be good! What do you think PFCU will bring to the Perry community? What kinds of things can people, members and nonmembers, look forward to?
Stephanie: So, I think that the Perry branch location, the most important thing that it’s going to bring is the flexibility for our members. It kind of builds that bridge from our west side to our east side and that includes a lot of different products and services so that includes our interactive tellers, having the night drop option, expanded electronic services, you know, our mobile deposit, electronic receipts and a lot more. These services empower not even just our existing but our new members to be able to take their banking into their own hands without losing that hometown feel and that stellar PFCU support that we provide. So, I’m really excited to just build that bridge and give the people of Perry something that is so close to home. They’ve been without a financial institution for a very long time and it’s time that they have that wonderful PFCU feel.
Maddy: Yeah, great! I’m excited! I haven’t seen the location yet, I haven’t made my way out there but I will be there on Tuesday next week so I’m looking forward to checking it out. That’ll be neat. Alright, well, thank you so much
Stephanie: I look forward to seeing you on Tuesday and you can come have a cup of coffee with me!
Maddy: Yay! Sounds good!
Stephanie: Alright, bye!
Maddy: Bye.
Money Talk is a podcast brought to you by PFCU. PFCU offers many products and services to fit your needs, from our various loan and account options to our team of financial coaches to help you reach your goals. Make sure to take advantage of the many conveniences PFCU offers such as the mobile app, mobile wallets, bill pay and more. Visit our website at PFCU the number four me dot com to learn more. PFCU is an equal housing lender and is federally insured by the NCUA.