By Barrett Baker
110 Cybernetics Way, Yorktown
757-877-2444 | 1stAdvantage.org
Founded: Chartered in 1951
Employees: 215
How do you know when you work for a truly great company? Just ask the employees. 1st Advantage Federal Credit Union conducts a survey every 18 months to assess employee engagement, their culture and overall job satisfaction. “Our colleague engagement is impressive, with a 98 percent participation rate in our latest survey,” says Paul Muse, president and CEO of the credit union. “The survey assesses several categories and also compares us to hundreds of other credit unions across the U.S. We’re pleased that our results are consistently among the highest. Colleagues also routinely provide positive feedback including during anniversary celebrations and volunteerism events.”
1st Advantage has a diverse workforce that promotes growth and development. They are very supportive of volunteerism efforts in the community, including a “Day of Service” where colleagues spend Columbus Day working on various projects for local nonprofit organizations and community partners. In 2017, 1st Advantage colleagues also donated and raised more than $25,000 for local organizations such as the Virginia Peninsula Foodbank, Boys & Girls Club and the Alzheimer’s Foundation, to name a few.
“Our members are at the center of everything we do. We work together with our members on securing a real financial advantage for them, with helpful advice on banking products that can help them achieve their financial goals,” says Muse. “This philosophy carries over to our commitment to colleague growth and development. We take care of our colleagues so they can take care of our members.”
So, how can you do your banking with an organization that will take such great care of you? 1st Advantage membership is open to anyone who lives, works, worships or attends school in Coastal Virginia and parts of North Carolina, and to any immediate family members of current 1st Advantage members.
Work Perks
- Company-sponsored “wellness” events (such as Color Me Rad)
- Generous leave benefit that includes a minimum of 175.5 hours, a maximum of 279.5 hours and the ability to accrue up to 400 hours
- Nine paid holidays
- Acknowledgment of each colleague’s anniversary with a gift card
- Executive Team monthly luncheons for all team members to celebrate their anniversary
Why I Love My Job
“1st Advantage Federal Credit Union is one of the best places to work in Coastal Virginia, not only because of our competitive compensation, outstanding benefits and unbeatable work environment, but also because of 1st Advantage’s commitment to the local community. You get a real sense of pride in working for an organization that truly cares about our local area. After all, we are all neighbors with a vested interest in where we live and work.”
—Robin Bowling, Human Resources Manager, 36 years with 1st Advantage Federal Credit Union
