U.S. Central Reviews

Pros

Excellent benefits, even as company is going under

Cons

Senior management still micromanages, plays cards for favorites and steps on everyone else in their department.

Advice to Senior Management

You have so much talent you are pushing out the door. If you are not careful they will be gone before the company is.

Pros

Historically, US Central was a great place to work and attracted talent from a number of "competing" companies in the KC metro area (Federal Reserve Bank, UMB, Commerce, etc.). During the 90's a lot of good talent came through the door. Benefit package was good, work/life balance was good, overall morale was good and there was a true sense of "people helping people" in the operations division.

Cons

Somewhere along the way, senior management forgot or disregarded the organization's initial purpose and intent. The amount of incompetence in the product management of correspondent services is incredible; these people do know how to run a product, but unfortunately they only know how to run it into the ground. I think it is good to see competition between divisional heads, but when that competition is rooted in distrust, bickering, and abandonment of organizational purpose it's no wonder that conservatorship was seen as a "positive" by senior management. Senior management's view is "people helping themselves", often at the expense of natural person credit unions.

Advice to Senior Management

Dear NCUA -- You now own a shell of what was once a productive and vital organization for the credit union industry and you have somehow determined that remaining leadership at this organization will lead the re-emergence of US Central. Unfortunately, the only chance for survival lays in the hands of the good people who have left the organization either by their choice or by cost-cutting mandates.

Pros

"7-4" or "8-5" mentality. Generally nice, boring people. Did I mention 8-5 mentality? Seriously, if you are looking for a place to put in your 7.5 hours...this is your place. Compensation was good, but don't expect to "move up" here until you have 20 years on...

Cons

Old-school quasi "not-for-profit" culture....half the employees have been there 15+ years and have no idea what the "real world" is like and disregard experiences of those from the outside. Departments operate like fiefdoms...inter-department conflict and infighting are legendary. Virtually no growth opportunities. Culture makes them unable to adapt to the business models of last century. Is currently under control of govt (NCUA) and will likely be dissolved, to no one's suprise or dismay (except the senior management that will milk it to the last day).

Advice to Senior Management

What can you say? There's a reason they are currently under "conservatorship" by the government. This place is doomed thanks to poor management....

Pros

Good pay and benefits -- commensurate with local market

Cons

Management needs to keep employees more informed of issues

Advice to Senior Management

More employee communication

Pros

USC is a great place to work if you just want a job with nice people. The company treats you well and has goodbenefits.

Cons

Opportunities to advance are very limited, so be sure the job you accept is the one you want to keep. Advancement is rare and only those who are "in" with managment are promoted.

Advice to Senior Management

You get what you pay for. Promoting poeple based on political standing or friendship leads to unqualified people filling key positions. This is part of the reason why the company is having financial problems at the moment.