Member Spotlight: Claire Ippoliti

CUNA Councils
June 24, 2009 | COMMENTS

Claire Ippoliti was born and raised in Philadelphia, where she is currently vice president of lending for Philadelphia Federal Credit Union. She received a BA degree in criminal justice from Temple University in 1987.

“After receiving my degree I had to explain many times how it would be helpful in banking,” she says. “I think having a criminal justice degree is quite effective when reviewing a loan application (back in the day of judgmental lending).”

Claire has worked in the financial services industry since the mid-1980s and joined Philadelphia Federal Credit Union in 1992, where her specialties include risk based lending and lending automation.

Biggest challenge

Membership growth. We continue to struggle with increasing our membership base.

Best advice

Listen, learn, and listen again. If you really want to grow, this is critical.

Greatest benefit of Council membership

Without a doubt it is the networking and sharing of ideas and files.

Best part of my job

Trying to find ways to better serve and help our members.

Hardest part of my job

Firing someone.

Success story

I was leaving work one day when I saw a member run up to Jenn, one of our loan processors, in the parking lot. The member excitedly thanked Jenn for helping her get a new car and wanted to show it to her!

Biggest misconception about my job

That I review loans all day.

Hobbies and interests

Photography—four of my photos have been accepted into juried art shows.

I am also very passionate about volunteerism. We just had our first kick-off project for a program I started in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware. I feel blessed to be where I am in life and want to give back personally and make it easier for others to volunteer.

Recent book

Facebook: The Missing Manual

Life goal not yet accomplished

I would like to start a foundation—maybe after I retire.

If I had an extra hour in the day I would . . .

Sit outside and meditate.

Favorite quote

"You must be the change you want to see in the world” (Gandhi).

If I could spend a day with anyone it would be . . .

Muhammad Yunus—I would like to talk with him about the challenges of starting Grameen Bank and how he overcame the objections.

How I would explain the credit union difference to a prospective new member

Banks are in business legally to make money for the shareholders—credit unions are in business to change the lives of their members.