Meet Baleska: Great Banking, Great Baking and a Little Disney Magic

At USF Credit Union, our Humans of Finance video series goes behind the scenes to introduce the people who make a difference in the lives of our members every day.

Today, we're heading to our New Tampa Branch to meet Baleska, who's spent the past seven years helping members find solutions and making her branch feel a little more like home.

For Baleska, a great day isn't measured by how many transactions get done. It's about the people, the connections and knowing she made someone's day a little better.

"If a member is happy, that's, you know, that's a great day for me," she says.

And around her branch, there are plenty of reasons to smile.

A Branch That Feels Like Family

Spend a little time at the New Tampa Branch and you'll quickly understand what makes it special.

There are familiar faces, plenty of regulars and members who sometimes drive from different parts of town just to see someone on Baleska's team.

"They come and drive from different parts just to see us. They'll come asking for Noelia, for Brianna, Susie, or me."

That's something she loves.

"I love having the members come looking for me and asking for me specifically just because I feel great providing those services to them and solutions to their needs."

For Baleska, it's the little things that matter. Sometimes a simple thank-you or a cookie is enough to make someone feel welcome.

When Helping Really Matters

Of course, some days leave a bigger impression than others.

Baleska remembers a member who had been without air conditioning for two weeks and needed help getting a new AC unit.

Her team was able to help her secure a loan, and the relief was immediate.

"She was even crying."

For Baleska, seeing that member get the help she needed was a great feeling.

It's also a good example of something she appreciates about working at a credit union.

Before joining USF Credit Union, Baleska spent years working in banking. In fact, she's been in the industry for 24 years, but her seven years here have given her a different perspective.

"The difference is amazing how they care about members," she says.

She explains that traditional banking can sometimes focus heavily on how much money someone has or what their credit score looks like. At a credit union, she sees more opportunities to understand the whole picture and find ways to help.

"Here it's more they see the whole picture and I love that because we have more opportunities to help our members."

The Best Team She's Ever Had

Ask Baleska about her favorite part of coming to work, and the answer isn't a product, a service or even a particular day.  It's her team.

"We are a family. I think that more than just being co-workers, we are a family."

They respect each other, get along and show up for one another through the good times and the bad.

And coming from someone with 24 years of banking experience, this says a lot:

"This is the first time that I could say I have the best team ever. They're amazing, all of them."

That sense of togetherness carries into the way they work with members, too. The team gets together every morning, starts the day with a positive attitude and gets ready to help whoever walks through the door.

And they know how to have a little fun along the way.

Every once in a while, Baleska even takes the whole team out dancing. It's a chance to step away from the day-to-day, enjoy each other's company and recharge.

Starting Each Day with Gratitude

Baleska has a bit of a commute, about an hour each way. But she's found a morning routine that helps her start the day on the right foot.

She makes a stop at Chick-fil-A, parks for a few minutes and takes time to pray.

"I just do a little prayer every morning just hoping for a great day and praying so we could be able to help our members."

She's also a believer in carrying a positive attitude with her, drawing encouragement from Bible verses and reminding herself of her blessings.

It's a simple routine, but one that helps set the tone for the day ahead.

A Little Disney Magic

When it's time to recharge outside of work, Baleska knows exactly where to go.

She's a big Disney fan, especially when it comes to Stitch.

Sometimes, after a hard day, she'll simply drive to Disney to watch the fireworks before heading back home.

"It's my happy place. I love it. I enjoy it. And I wouldn't change it for anything."

And there's another dream she's hoping to bring to life someday: opening her own bakery.

She already has a name in mind: BB's Creation.

Think lots of cakes, plenty of creativity and, naturally, Disney-inspired designs.

Better Banking Is About People

After seven years at USF Credit Union, Baleska still looks forward to the same things every morning: seeing her team, catching up on everyone's lives and helping members find the solutions they need.

Because at the end of the day, that's what makes a great day.

It's the member who leaves with a little less worry. The familiar face who stops by just to say hello. The teammates who become family. And the opportunity to make a difference, one conversation at a time.

That's Baleska. And that's Better Banking for All in action.

Here’s how you can join the family

November 5, 2026