‘Ike aku, ‘ike mai, kokua aku, kokua mai; pela iho la ka nohana ‘ohana

“Recognize others, be recognized, help others, be helped; such is a family relationship.”

A Hawaiian proverb as recorded by Mary Kawena Pukui

—From the 2009 Verity Credit Union Annual Report

One year ago today I started as a Member Service Representative (Teller) at Verity.

During my first month of employment I read the above quote in the Verity Annual Report and I was impressed. Secretly, however, I wondered how close to the truth it really was. A lot of companies say they are “like family,” but how many really deliver?

One year later I can honestly say that I love my job and that I live this quote every day. Tellers at Verity do a lot more than just process transactions. We offer our members camaraderie, understanding and, yes, sometimes a shoulder to cry on

Here are a few of my favorite member moments so far:

During my very first week at Verity, a twenty-something member came into the branch wearing a Sounders FC jersey. I asked him about it and he told me the story of how he had just taken his younger brother to his first professional soccer game and what a bonding experience that had been for them. He left the branch with a hundred bucks in his wallet and a million dollar smile on his face.

Some months later a long-time member passed away. He had always walked into the branch like he was walking into his own home. He would sidle up to the counter and rattle off his account number quickly, like you should already know it, but he wanted the formality of actually giving it to you. As a new employee I found this daunting and always braced myself when he came into the branch so I would be ready to get his number on the first try.

By the time he died I knew him by name and knew his wife as well. In the email that she sent out after he passed away, his wife said that Verity was like his “Cheers” and that he always looked forward to coming in and doing his banking. (How many banks can say that about their customers?)

A couple of months ago on my way to work I ran into a member on the street. We chatted for a moment and then parted, but not before he asked if he could give me a hug. I said I would love one. And I left that transaction with a million dollar smile on my face.

That’s being recognized. That’s family. That’s Verity.