CUNA News
  • LOG IN
  • Create Account
  • Sign Out
  • My Account
  • LOG IN
  • Create Account
  • Sign Out
  • My Account
  • Credit Union Magazine
    • Buyers' Guide
    • 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 » ‘We have a mission, not just a job’
Leadership CU Rock Stars 2022

‘We have a mission, not just a job’

Wendy Tariff channels the unique mindset of her law-enforcement membership.

September 23, 2022
Dennis Chaptman
No Comments
Wendy Tariff

Police officers have a special relationship with their money, says Wendy Tariff, president/CEO at $40 million asset Police Credit Union of Connecticut (PCUCT) in Hartford. “When I took this job, I learned that being a first responder comes with a unique mindset.”

She takes a certain pride in matching the needs of that mindset—and making time for some friendly but pointed financial guidance now and then.

Tariff explains a predictable pattern among new police officers, both men and women.

 Fresh on the new job with a grown-up’s paycheck, possibly for the first time in their lives, the first financial move many new officers make is taking out a loan for an expensive truck.

Not so fast, Tariff advises new members and incoming recruits during her visits to police academies and class graduations, and during financial counseling sessions. 

“The best way to help our members is by educating them at the beginning of their financial journey,” says Tariff, a certified financial counselor through the CUNA Financial Counseling Certification Program. “I talk about financial responsibility and ask if they really need the truck right away or if perhaps they should start a rainy-day fund first.”

Tariff adds that police officers typically work a lot of overtime and often take side gigs on top of irregular hours, accounting for their sometimes unconventional approach to personal finance. 

Meet the 2022 Credit Union Rock Stars

That’s one reason she has a strategy to create a statewide law-enforcement credit union. She took the first steps in making that plan a reality when she guided PCUCT’s merger with Waterbury Police Federal Credit Union this year.

Tariff says the merger provides more updated products and services to former Waterbury Police Federal members, and friendly mergers can do the same for other law enforcement credit unions. 

“A lot of police credit unions are still old school,” Tariff says. “They’re losing members. If we can create one united credit union, it will benefit everyone.” 

She spends much of her time volunteering for and donating to organizations such as the Hartford Police Athletic League, the Western Connecticut Police Chiefs Association, and the Hartford Police Department Homeless Outreach.

She shares that passion with her employees. Despite limited resources, each year Tariff takes one of her (currently) eight employees to the CUNA Governmental Affairs Conference to introduce them to the nationwide excitement of credit union advocacy. 

“If I can take just one person each year, they’ll better understand that we are really changing lives. We’re improving our community and we’re doing good for others,” Tariff says. “We have a mission, not just a job.”

Hear more from Tariff and fellow Rock Star Keith Stone in the CUNA News Podcast episode titled "Serving our nation's finest."


Back Rock Stars Next

 

KEYWORDS Credit Union Rock Stars financial well-being

Post a comment to this article

Report Abusive Comment

Credit Union Magazine: Rock Stars 2023

Rock Stars 2023

Credit Union Rock Stars are outstanding credit union professionals and directors from a wide range of disciplines who inspire and innovate to advance the missions of their credit unions. The 25 members of the 11th class of Rock Stars were selected for their exceptional creativity, innovation, and passion.
Digital Edition •  Subscribe

Trending

  • Meet the 2023 Credit Union Rock Stars

  • Senators introduce bipartisan cannabis banking legislation

  • Nussle, Berger highlight credit union difference in WSJ letter to the editor

Polls

Do you plan to use the FedNow instant payment service?

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