Pros
Lower level management is usually fairly flexible regarding different issues that arise; ie if you need time off you can usually get it. This varies manager, to manager however. Also there are a lot of dedicated employees within the company. They will drop what their doing and jump in if need be.
Cons
I’ve noticed that many people have stated that the pay is excellent. I don’t believe that they’re in “operations.” The majority of people that I know have gone 2-3 years without so much as a cost of living raise. The work/life balance is non-existent. You will be expected to come in for as much as 10 hours a week of overtime (minimum), for extended periods of time (we’ve seen 1-3 years of this). Senior management has a tendency to make the same mistakes over, and over again. Now they’ve cut so many people in operations that we’ve been forced into mandatory overtime (we’ve been doing it for a year 1/2 now). They still refuse to hire more people. Also the main issue inside the company is that no one (including your manager) is capable of performing your duties, ie they do not understand what you do all day. So do not expect them to jump in when they’re needed. Which brings me to the next issue. TIAA-CREF does not promote within, they will hire externally for most low-level positions.