In my experience, credit unions are one of the best kept secrets of the financial world. People just don’t talk about them enough and, as a result, many don’t understand how they came to be and what makes them different from the bank down the street. 

They shouldn’t be a secret, though, and certainly don’t need to be. A credit union isn’t a limited resource. They’re designed for people to help people and got started as a way to offer credit to those who needed it most in a time when it was hard to get loans. The Member model of a credit union allows a community to pool its resources and make more human decisions in lending. And, because they aren’t for profit, the Members remain the focus, not making money. 

A Focus on People

Because our focus is on helping people, rather than getting rich, we approach lending very differently than most consumers are used to. For one thing, there are no algorithms automatically declining loan applications. Our team looks at every single application that comes in. And I don’t mean the loan officer scans the app, checks out the credit score and writes off the low ones. Every application is thoughtfully reviewed. We Believe you are so much more than a credit score at GOLD.

Your credit score doesn’t determine whether or not we can approve you for a loan. We look at the bigger picture: your lending history and ability to repay. We listen to your story and your goals, and do our best to find a way to help you get there. If we can’t say, “Yes” today, we’ll give you guidance on how to improve that big picture to get approved in the future. We Believe in making dreams come true. 

A Focus on Your Best Interests

Getting you approved isn’t the only thing we care about. Your goals and dreams matter to us. That’s why we listen so closely to what you tell us. Sometimes, what you share helps us steer you in a different direction. Our lending team is excellent at what they do, and they use their collective experience to your benefit. Maybe refinancing your mortgage as a home equity loan would help you pay off your home five years sooner. Or the equity in the vehicle you own outright could be transformed into a cash-out auto loan at an even better rate than a personal loan.

Serving Members is much more than just a job for the GOLD team; it’s a purpose. We all believe we’re part of something bigger and that we can positively impact the world through our work. So, when you apply for a loan, we’re not just checking off boxes and crunching numbers. We put our energy into finding the best solution to achieve your goals. We Believe in You! 

Cheryl Bartholomew

Cheryl Bartholomew

Cheryl has been the President & CEO at GOLD since 2009 and has over 39 years of banking experience. She ensures the happiness of all Members through positive experiences that exceed their expectations, regardless of whether it's a simple phone call, electronic transaction, or face-to-face interaction. She strives to provide a positive work environment for her employees so they continue to go above and beyond for Members. She works closely with Member Volunteers (Board of Directors and Supervisory Committee) and makes sure they feel appreciated for their contributions in setting up our Members for success. Cheryl believes that all Members can be empowered to take control of their financial well-being, and she's proud to say that we at GOLD are confident in helping them do that.

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