CUNA News
  • LOG IN
  • Create Account
  • Sign Out
  • My Account
  • LOG IN
  • Create Account
  • Sign Out
  • My Account
  • Topics
    • Community Service
    • Compliance
    • Credit Union Hero
    • Credit Union Rock Star
    • Credit Union System
    • Directors
    • Human Resources
    • Leadership
    • Lending
    • Marketing
    • Operations
    • Policy & Issues
    • Sales & Service
    • Technology
  • Credit Union Magazine
    • Buyers' Guide
    • COVID-19
    • Digital Edition
    • Credit Union Hero
    • Credit Union Rock Star
    • Subscribe
    • Advertise
    • Contact
  • Advertise
  • Awards
    • Nominate Credit Union Hero
    • Nominate Credit Union Rock Star
  • Podcasts
  • Videos
  • Jobs
  • Contact

News

Home » ‘Doubling down’ for members, staff
Leadership

‘Doubling down’ for members, staff

‘Heroes Among Us’ honor recognizes CEO for supporting employees.

June 2, 2020
Ron Jooss
One Comment
2020-06-117825_

As coronavirus (COVID-19) restrictions create challenges for U.S. workers, Hope Luberda is thankful she works at St. Cloud (Minn.) Financial Credit Union. And she wants everyone to know it.

Luberda, a mortgage processor at the $202 million asset credit union, nominated President/CEO Jed Meyer for recognition in “Heroes Among Us,” a program sponsored by a local radio station to recognize those who make a difference in others’ lives during the COVID-19 crisis.

The radio station recognized Meyer as one of its heroes, featuring him on its website as a “credit union CEO looking out for employees.”

Luberda couldn’t agree more. She told the radio station how Meyer treated credit union employees to 12 days of take-out lunches from local restaurants out of his own pocket. Meyer also worked with the credit union board to give employees a bonus to ease financial anxieties brought on by the pandemic.

And Luberda admires the way St. Cloud Financial partnered with $188 million asset Great River Financial Federal Credit Union, also in St. Cloud, to provide more than 300 meals for local residents.

But Luberda says it’s more than Meyer’s actions that leave an impression on her.

“Everything he says and does comes from the heart,” she says. “We need more people like him.”

The pandemic has been an anxious time for everyone, especially those who work with the public. Like so many workplaces, St. Cloud Financial implemented many changes in a short time when COVID-19 restrictions were put in place.

“We always knew our leadership team—the board and Jed—had our backs,” Luberda says. “They always told us, ‘We’re a strong credit union. We’ll work through this.’

“Every change we made had a reason behind it,” she continues. “We understood everything from the beginning. We knew we were going to be okay. That gave us strength to get through this.”

Information empowers employees, Meyer says. “Part of my job is to let people know as much as I can and tell them how we’re going to respond as a group. That gives them confidence. That’s empowerment.”

He calls the award “one of the highlights of my career because the nomination came from an employee, unbeknownst to me.”

Meyer says St. Cloud Financial’s mission is to make “a meaningful difference” in the lives of members, employees, and community. The COVID-19 crisis, despite its many challenges, has provided opportunities to do that.

“We’re doing nothing different,” he says. “In fact, we’re doubling down. There’s no better time for credit unions to make a difference than in times like these.”

KEYWORDS coronavirus

Post a comment to this article

Report Abusive Comment

Credit Union Magazine: Winter 2022

Winter 2022

Credit Union Magazine’s Winter 2022 issue highlights data-driven marketing, the board’s role in cybersecurity, elder abuse scams, credit unions’ auto lending advantage, and more.
Digital Edition •  Subscribe

Trending

  • Reps introduce bipartisan Credit Union Board Modernization Act

  • CDFI Fund announces CUNA-sought delay to consider application changes

  • CUNA makes recommendations for CFPB personal data rights rulemaking

Tweets by CUNA_News

Polls

How do you feel about the economy in 2023?

View Results
More

Champion for the Credit Union Movement

Credit Union National Association is the most influential financial services trade association and the only national association that advocates on behalf of all of America's credit unions. We work tirelessly to protect your best interests in Washington and all 50 states. We fuel your professional growth at every level and champion the credit union story at every turn.

More CUNA

  • Membership
  • Contact Us
  • Careers

Resources for

  • Credit Union Advocates
  • Leagues
  • Press
  • Providers

Our Affiliates

  • American Association of Credit Union Leagues (AACUL)
  • Credit Union Awareness
  • Credit Union House
  • CUNA Strategic Services
  • National Credit Union Foundation
GET CUNA UPDATES
© 2023 Credit Union National Association | ADA Compliance Notice & Legal
Email Us