New Tampa, New Tempo: Where Banking Moves to Your Beat

At our USF Credit Union New Tampa branch, there’s a certain rhythm to the day.

Members come through the doors. The team jumps in to help. Someone gets a loan approved. Someone else finds a better way to save. And somewhere along the way, there might even be a little dancing.

Because this is a branch where people genuinely enjoy being together- and helping our members.

“I always like to have my branch busy because it keeps me going all day,” says branch manager Baleska B., who has been with USF Credit Union for seven years. “I enjoy helping and providing those solutions to the members. And that's something that we all enjoy here.”

A Team That Moves Together

Ask the New Tampa team what makes their branch special, and you'll hear the same word again and again: family.

“My team, they're a huge family,” says Universal Service Representative Breanna P. “Everybody checks in with each other, makes sure that we're good. If the ball drops somewhere else, somebody else is right there behind us picking it up.”

Universal Service Representative Suzy W. puts it another way.

“The best part here is that we all work as a family. Everyone is good at something, and we complete each other.”

And that teamwork isn't just something you see when the branch is busy. It's part of the culture.

They celebrate hitting goals. They help each other find answers. And sometimes, when the music comes on, they have a quick dance party.

“We'll hear the music going and then just have a quick little dance party in Noli's office,” Breanna says.

Baleska takes the fun a step further. On Fridays, once the lobby closes at 5 p.m. and the team waits for the drive-thru, the music goes on.

“We just put music and we start dancing,” she says. “We just have fun.”

More Than a Number

Of course, having fun is only part of what makes this team special.

At the heart of the New Tampa branch is a simple idea: listen to people, understand what they need, and look at the whole picture.

For Baleska, that's one of the biggest differences between a traditional bank and a credit union.

“A bank is like how much you have and what's your credit score,” she says. “Here it's more they see the whole picture, and I love that because we have more opportunities to help our members.”

Breanna sees that same philosophy every day.

“At USF CU, we really show grace for people,” she says. “We have that heart. We understand life happens. These people are real people, and they need help, and we're here to help them.”

Sometimes that means helping someone finance a car when they need to get to work. Sometimes it's finding the right savings option. And sometimes, it's helping a member through an unexpected emergency.

For Breanna, one of the most rewarding parts of the job is simply seeing a member walk out feeling like they've accomplished something.

“Being able to have members leave happy and like they accomplished so much is just amazing.”

When Helping Someone Becomes a Great Day

Baleska remembers one member who needed a new air-conditioning unit after going without AC for two weeks.

“We were able to get that loan for her,” she says. “And it was a great feeling.”

The member was so relieved she cried.

“She was like, ‘I haven't been able to sleep for two weeks. It's been too hot.’”

Baleska worked through different options with her, and the member was approved.

“If a member is happy, that's, you know, that's a great day for me.”

That's what personalized service can look like. Not simply processing a transaction, but taking the time to understand what's happening in someone's life and figuring out how you can help.

We Know Our Members. And They Know Us.

That personal connection is something the New Tampa team hears about from members all the time.

“They come and drive from different parts just to see us,” Baleska says. “They'll come asking for Noelia, for Breanna, Suzy, or me.”

Suzy says knowing members' needs is all about communication.

“I know every member's need, what they want,” she says. “It's all by communication. You know, the member needs.”

That relationship doesn't stop at the branch door, either.

Baleska says the community appreciates even the little things - a conversation, a familiar face, or sometimes just a small thank-you.

“It could be just a tiny little cookie, but they love it.”

Come See Us in New Tampa

There’s a reason the New Tampa team likes to keep the branch busy.

They like helping people, solving problems and seeing members leave with a little more confidence than when they walked in.

And they like doing it together.

“We are a family,” Baleska says. “More than just being co-workers, we are a family. We respect each other. We get along. We are there for each other. And I love that.”

That's the New Tampa tempo: a little energy, a lot of heart, and a team that's ready to help.

Come see us at USF Credit Union in New Tampa at 20610 Bruce B Downs Blvd.  Whether you need a loan, want to save, have a question, or simply want to talk through what's next, our team is ready to listen.

That's Better Banking for All.