I will start with the biggest cancer in the credit union and that is their beloved CEO Thomas Feindt. My words are sarcastic because he is actually very disliked, but his ego is too big to notice or care. It is evident to many that he is running Grow into the ground. How? He makes erratic decisions that are anything but bold and for the betterment of the organization as he would like one to think. If people don’t align with his progressive and liberalistic point of view, he finds ways to get rid of them (he mandated the vaccine and terminated several good employees) or simply lets it be known they don’t belong. He touts inclusivity, openness and empowerment, but instead is a wolf in sheep’s clothing and quite the opposite of who he says he is. He doesn’t want to hear anyone’s voice if their opinions are different from his, though he says his door is open for conversations concerning his crazy decisions. He will shut a conversation down in a heartbeat, but check the box that he allowed that conversation to happen. All he cares about is what image Grow Financial portrays to the community but he could care less about the quality, hardworking people within the organization, many of which have left. Speaking of quality, the quality of lower to upper level management has dwindled over the years, credit union wide. Its not hard to believe since the problem starts at the top. Many good and hardworking people have either gotten fired in recent months or have left on their own accord. The stores are especially suffering with poor leadership and very few internal candidates to promote. I also feel for the real estate and business departments. There is way too much to say or we’d be here all day, but they are suffering under the non-leadership of someone extremely inexperienced in both departments he “leads”. With the drive and expertise underneath him, both of these departments should be thriving, but instead people are unmotivated, leaving and no one seems to care.
Is Grow Financial for you? It may be if you don’t have an opinion and enjoy coasting through your career. If putting your head down and ignoring the disasters all around you sounds ideal, it may be the place for you. Just know if you speak up about anything or show you have a spine, its the kiss of death and they will find a way to get rid of you.