What did you think about it?

I'm graduating, and very particular about who I want to work for. I've interviewed with BoA, Wachovia, Fidelity, Citi, CreditSuisse, etc. - and they all just seem wrong for me. SECU, on the other hand, seems right in-line with what I'm looking for.

I'm also trying to get a good market estimate for pay in a position for my skills, degree and experience. If you at least have a feel for general compensation for people other than tellers, hit me with a PM. Many resources online are spouting off much different numbers, and allowing for it being a Credit Union, and not a big-box bank, I'm just not sure what to expect.

4/28/2008 11:47:25 AM

What are you looking to do?

Member Servie, Loan Officer, IT???

4/28/2008 11:56:31 AM

i worked there for three years while doing my undergrad part time

they don't pay near as well as BoA, Wachovia, Fidelity, Citi, ect

If you are joining at an entry level position you can expect a meager salary

4/28/2008 12:01:29 PM

Looking to start as an FSO, then move elsewhere - loan officer possibly, or something else that begins to look interesting.

[Edited on April 28, 2008 at 12:09 PM. Reason : a]

4/28/2008 12:05:07 PM

At least you will never work weekends.

4/28/2008 12:30:55 PM

^^^ What about benefit comparison. Comparing salary rates shouldn't be the deciding factor, especially if someone is pursuing this in a career. Definately look deeper into that. SECU has come really nice benefits from what I hear... (ie: 401k, they contribute 200% up to 8%, so if you set your 401k to 4% deduction, SECU adds 8% for a total of 12%) Not too many places do that.

4/28/2008 12:38:18 PM

I worked at the call center for 3 days, they want all their people to stay in that position for 3 years before moving up (loan officer, etc). They don't give too much PTO either. The people that work there seemed nice but mgmt seemed to be set about 20 years behind office protocol (you must wear a jacket every day, no casual day, very inflexible).

4/28/2008 12:49:36 PM

Quote :

"^^^ What about benefit comparison. Comparing salary rates shouldn't be the deciding factor, especially if someone is pursuing this in a career. Definately look deeper into that. SECU has come really nice benefits from what I hear... (ie: 401k, they contribute 200% up to 8%, so if you set your 401k to 4% deduction, SECU adds 8% for a total of 12%) Not too many places do that."

I knew the retirement benefits were good, but that is pretty hot.

Their medical plan is good, though my current employer is top-notch on that one with nothing out of my pocket, so anything will feel like a step down.

I'd be willing to tolerate up to 20-25% below my (perceived) market value for the right fit, good benefits, and an good opportunities after a few years.

4/28/2008 1:17:23 PM

mid twenties

[Edited on April 28, 2008 at 1:18 PM. Reason : .]

4/28/2008 1:18:40 PM

^That, however, I would probably not be willing to tolerate.

What do you base that on? I was thinking the worst-case would be low-30's. I've got the relevant degree, a few years' experience in (actual) management at a large company....and make that amount part-time right now. Surely they'll bring it above that. From everything I've seen, I could expect low-mid 40's elsewhere with the same qualifications. I understand and expect it to be lower than that there, but 50% off?

4/28/2008 1:24:42 PM

I worked in the card services department for 2 years. I hated it with a passion. The 401k plan is terrific and the health plan, while good, is very expensive whether you are 20 years old or 60. The pay was very low for a college graduate, but then again my position was entry level. I really only took the job because I needed to save up for law school. If it's something you really want to do, then go for it. Everyone needs a job that is both enjoyable and fulfilling, which for me, was not SECU

4/28/2008 2:38:28 PM

Pay is low and you will not start off much higher. You get bonuses as you complete certain tests and increase your FSO level. When my husband was looking for jobs, very few banks offered in the 40k for a trust associate, let alone a loan/bank position.

Benefits are very good. However, you pay all but $8 of your insurance policy. they have a high turn over because of they require their employees to get degrees and pay lower than other banks. However, they are pretty good about paying for licenses.

Not as stressful as a bank (no pressure to sell products). More days off a year.

We have had a few run ins with HR and I have concluded that they are morons.

4/28/2008 5:01:35 PM

Quote :

"The people that work there seemed nice but mgmt seemed to be set about 20 years behind office protocol (you must wear a jacket every day, no casual day, very inflexible)."

Quote :

"We have had a few run ins with HR and I have concluded that they are morons."

yep, they hire raving lunatics too. explains a lot about the company.

4/28/2008 9:43:01 PM

Anyone else have any experience? Anything changed at the call center?

10/9/2008 11:39:14 PM

I can't really give any feedback about the call center other than hearsay. I do know that the whole 3 years thing is true though. If you start at the phone center, you can't transfer or anything. I worked at a branch for a couple of years as a FSO, it isn't too bad, the benefits are quite nice, especially how well they match 401k contributions, but the pay was crap. Dress code depends on your branch/dept manager. They do want you to have a degree for anything beyond working as a teller or some peak time stuff. It's okay, but I'd recommend it only as a place to get a paycheck while looking for something more rewarding. But then again, it all depends on what you're looking for.

10/10/2008 12:30:09 AM

also if you have any HR problems, don't expect help.

they are too afraid to do anything to anyone. seriously.

10/10/2008 1:52:13 AM

what kind of HR problems?

10/10/2008 2:10:45 AM

well i worked with a hysterical moron. no seriously. this woman was a dept manager. was never there, cried or was screaming about something almost everyday. her direct boss always coddled her and never punished her. she always wanted to do things that were in direct violation of common sense and most likely company policy. nothing was ever done.

it was odd. of course she wasn't in charge of me, but i still felt bad for the people who were under her.

10/10/2008 2:19:56 AM

Both my parents work for SECU. The pay is low there, but they will never lay you off if job security is an issue for you.

10/10/2008 9:59:05 AM

Yeah, unless you're breaking the law, they won't fire you. You'll get transferred before that happens.

10/10/2008 11:35:34 AM

Quote :

"mid twenties"

Yeah. I heard the same thing from my buddy who applied. I know salary isn't everything but even the best benefits won't make up for a salary 1/3 under market average.

10/10/2008 12:15:06 PM

I interviewed at their call center and got an offer to do 3rd shift. pay was like $28k i think with hardly any pto. I think they said you get christmas and easter off or something like that. 2 days out of the year for 28k? no thanks. the people there did seem nice though....

10/10/2008 2:05:13 PM

Yea, they only have like 2 paid holidays for the call center. Your benefits also come directly out of your pay. Also, the pay is subpar. You also get dick for PTO. Glad I didn't end up staying there.


Was nice to get a SECU account though

10/10/2008 2:33:58 PM

I believe they're hiring an FSO at the Walnut street branch in Cary.

I work at the operations center on Wake Forest Rd., and yeah, the pay is pretty crappy.

10/10/2008 3:56:14 PM

anyone stay at the call center for a year or more?

10/17/2008 9:33:46 PM

Quote :

"but they will never lay you off if job security is an issue for you."

That's not a good thing by the way. Anybody who has ever worked at a place that doesn't fire people knows what I am talking about.

Quote :

" yep, they hire raving lunatics too. explains a lot about the company."

I can attest to that

10/18/2008 1:56:03 AM