CUNA News
  • LOG IN
  • Create Account
  • Sign Out
  • My Account
  • LOG IN
  • Create Account
  • Sign Out
  • My Account
  • Credit Union Magazine
    • Buyers' Guide
    • COVID-19
    • Digital Edition
    • Credit Union Hero
    • Credit Union Rock Star
    • Subscribe
    • Advertise
    • Contact
  • Advertise
  • 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
  • Awards
    • Nominate Credit Union Hero
    • Nominate Credit Union Rock Star
  • Podcasts
  • Videos
  • Jobs
  • Contact

News

Home » Her moral compass is true north
Community Service CU Rock Stars 2020

Her moral compass is true north

The credit union movement provided a perfect match for Andrea Finley’s instincts for helping others build a better future.

September 25, 2020
Ron Jooss
No Comments
Andrea Finley

Earlier in her career, Andrea Finley worked in collections “for the big banks,” as she describes it. But that path didn’t “quite feel right” for her.

“Something kept tugging on my heart,” she says. “I had this moral compass that kept leading me to help people.”

That compass led her to $400 million asset SC Telco Federal Credit Union, Greenville, S.C., where as a collections specialist Finley could help members work through their financial troubles. Going through the CUNA Financial Counseling Certification Program was “transformational” she recalls.

“My manager told me we are not just here to collect the payment. We are here to understand why members got behind and what can we do to help them get in a better situation,” Finley says. “If we can get to the root problem, we’ll make a bigger impact. That was a light bulb moment for me. It was about financial education.”

Andrea Finley

Click to enlarge. Andrea Finley receives the 2019 Habitat for Humanity Family Ambassador Award from Monroe Free, president/CEO of Habitat for Humanity of Greenville County.

In 2017, her current role as financial wellness coordinator was created and Finley was charged with starting a financial wellness program at the credit union. Starting a new program is a big endeavor. Finley’s advice for taking on this type of challenge: “Work with what you have.”

This included building on long-term relationships the credit union had already established. She developed a program called Homeward Bound with Habitat for Humanity for families who struggle to meet the qualifying standards. Within the past two years, 14 families have found new homes through the program. 

Habitat for Humanity of Greenville County recognized Finley for her efforts with the 2019 Family Ambassador Award.

She also works with the Dream Center, a homeless shelter program in a neighboring county. Finley established a financial education curriculum and teaches a seven-week course at the center. Before coronavirus (COVID-19), she was at the center at least once a week.

Meet the 2020 Credit Union Rock Stars

“It’s important to be there,” Finley says. “So much of financial education is building trust, especially with adults. By me being there every week, we can have impactful discussions.”

Parents who participate in financial education can earn Dream Dollars, which qualify them to choose holiday presents for their children—a touching moment for Finley. 

Finley also worked her way into Greenville schools through Junior Achievement, an organization that teaches entrepreneurship and financial education to youth. The school district needed someone to teach a personal finance course and she fit the bill.

Finley’s willingness to knock on doors and provide assistance any way she can is one of the keys to her success, Finley says. “I haven’t been turned down yet.”

Back Rock Stars Next

 

KEYWORDS Credit Union Rock Stars

Post a comment to this article

Report Abusive Comment

Credit Union Magazine: Spring 2023

Spring 2023

Credit Union Magazine’s Spring 2023 issue features the 2023 Credit Union Heroes and examines CUNA-League advocacy priorities, board leadership, the impact of financial well-being efforts, fee-related compliance issues, predictions for the year ahead, and more.
Digital Edition •  Subscribe

Trending

  • CUNA Mascot Madness: See the West winner and vote for the South champ

  • Compliance: FinCEN issues BOI reporting guidance

  • Compliance: CUs must register with ACH Contact Registry

Tweets by CUNA_News

Polls

Mascot Madness Semifinal 2: Which mascot is your favorite?

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