Countrywide Financial Reviews in Phoenix, AZ Area

Pros

There was some flexiblilty in work schedule in the team I worked for.

Cons

There was very much a "good ole boy" network. Although they promoted work/life balance...if you did not work yourself to death you did not move up the ranks.

Advice to Senior Management

Stop with the buzz words and rhetoric....just say what you are going to do and do what you say. We are all adults...no games...or programs for the sake of programs or to look like you are "doing the right thing"

Pros

They pay at high rate compared to others.

Cons

There was poor communication with senior leadership
They did not follow through on quality
There was not a bias for action
They did not care about employee retention
Countrywide's Benefits are weak relative to others in the industry
Senior Leadership needs to back up employee suggestions and fight for them
Vacation is low relative to others in the industry

Advice to Senior Management

Listen to your employees.
Use facts to make decisions instead of using your gut
Senior Leadership needs to back up employee suggestions and fight for them
Senior Leadership needs to focus on employee rentention

Pros

They pay really well and fair. I believe the pay will continue to be decent after the completion of the Bank of America merger.

Cons

Burnout usually takes place in 1 to 2 years. Very few can last longer.

Advice to Senior Management

We would be really slow and they would make us work mandatory overtime. Get your stuff together.

Pros

Countrywide compensates very well for individuals willing to work hard. Dispite the downturn in the mortgage industry, the company looks for creative ways to compensate its employees. I was approved for a promotion durning the company's acquisition by Bank of America. While the raise was a little lower than I had hoped, I was still happy the promotion when through in such an adverse environment.

Cons

The downturn in the mortgage industry has led to downsizing in some departments.

Advice to Senior Management

None.

Pros

You could put in a lot of overtime.

In fact, it was required!

Cons

Management in my department were prejudiced against you if you were not Hispanic . . . . they would talk about you in Spanish and laugh making it obvious which employee they were belittling.
They belittled employees instead of encouraging them to do better. And they made sure other employees heard.
High turnover as we all found jobs with companies that treated their employees like people.
They made promises about advancement but never followed through.

Advice to Senior Management

They brought the ghetto from California to run the Tempe Landsafe offices. BIG mistake. They have no respect for the employees and the employees leave taking all the training and knowledge with them.

Pros

The recruitment team at the bank is by far the best I've ever worked for. The leadership was awesome to work for.

Cons

The B of A acquisition and the uncertainty of the bank's future.

Advice to Senior Management

Keep up the great work!

Pros

It used to be growth opportunities but those are obviously gone with the acquisition by BofA. Compensation is a bit stronger than competitors but you will lose in benefits - typically only two weeks vacation. If you are FVP or above you can negotiate for a third week and more than likely get it. There are really great people at CFC.

Cons

In-experienced managers in a lot of departments. To be an AVP or VP isn't quite what it is at other financial institutions. Terrible benefits. They don't value training or development of employees. They do not have a work-life program or viable diversity programs. No community programs outside of California.

Advice to Senior Management

Open the lines of communication. Provide more education and growth opportunities. Give back to the communities where you are doing business.