Compassion, Dedication and Community: Why Employees Love Working at the World’s Largest Credit Union

At the end of the Great Depression, seven Navy Department employees who wanted to help themselves and their coworkers reach their financial goals founded the Navy Federal Credit Union, a member-owned and not-for-profit credit union. Since then, Navy Federal has grown to become the world’s largest credit union with over $149 billion in assets, over 32,000 employees and over 10 million member-owners who are serving in the military, veterans or their families

While they have seen immense growth, Navy Federal has maintained a culture where they treat each other like family and a consistent dedication to three main values:

1. Serving with compassion.

2. Putting members first.

3. Championing community.

Guided by these values, Navy Federal was named as one of the Computerworld® Best Places to Work in IT in 2021, Fortune 100 Best Companies to Work For® in 2021 and Forbes America's Best Employers for New Grads. Further, the most recent Great Place to Work survey showed that 88% of employees at Navy Federal say it’s a great place to work, compared to 59% of employees at a typical U.S.-based company.

The people who work at Navy Federal are passionate about their mission, care for each other like family and form meaningful relationships to drive member-centric experiences and bolster commitment, all while mitigating burnout. As one employee puts it: “No matter what team I've been a part of, I've always felt like family. If I or a team member has had a hardship outside of work, we all come together to support one another.” 

Read on to find out more about why employees like working at Navy Federal, which offers meaningful work that they can feel good about, as well as a commitment to diversity and good benefits.

A focus on empowering women and increasing diversity in the workforce.

Navy Federal knows that empowering women is paramount to their success. And they have the stats to back up this dedication! Not only do women make up 66% of their workforce, but this number is also reflected in their senior management team, which is made up of 60% women, including Mary McDuffie, their first-ever woman CEO, and Debbie Calder, their first-ever woman COO. 

To promote women in the workforce on a wider scale, Navy Federal also made a $10,000 donation to Dress for Success, a global not-for-profit organization that empowers women to achieve economic independence.

The women at Navy Federal certainly feel this culture of support. Madina Wamee, Application Security Engineer, says that, “Our mission is to create a community of strong, successful women in cybersecurity centered around empowerment and advancing their careers in this under-represented field. Navy Federal was very receptive and supported me from day one.”

And, in regards to diversity and inclusion, Navy Federal strengthened their diversity and inclusion initiatives in 2020 to make them critical to their core strategy. As part of this, Tynika Wilson, their Senior Vice President of Debit Cards & Fund Services, chairs the Diversity and Inclusion Committee, which strives to actively promote a diverse and inclusive work environment through policies, practices and programs that harness the power of individuality to foster stronger, more unified teams based on principles of cultural sensitivity, equality and respect for all. 

To promote community and inclusivity, Navy Federal also hosts multiple social communities, such as a Diversity and Inclusion Social Community, as well as professional development groups, including their Women in Cybersecurity peer and community of practice group that was founded by an employee soon after she joined the team. 

Navy Federal Credit Union benefits that we think you’ll love.

Navy Federal offers a career, not just a job. They are proud of the robust Total Rewards package that they offer to their employees, which includes competitive salaries, incentive programs, comprehensive medical, dental and vision benefits, retirement plans with employer match, award-winning training programs, professional development programs, tuition assistance, paid leave and work-life programs.

A few benefits we’d like to highlight are:

• Flexible working: Due to their strong connective culture and leadership, employees still know that they are part of a strong, supportive team, even when working in a flexible hybrid model. This model focuses on the “Moments that Matter” most throughout the employee lifecycle, such as onboarding, celebrations, joint learning, team-building and social connections to ensure that employees continue to flourish.

• Parental leave and benefits: Navy Federal offers eight weeks of 100% paid parental leave for birth and adoptive parents. This leave can be used in one-week increments up to 12 months following the baby's birth/adoption date (Effective as of 1/1/2022). Further, Navy Federal provides adoption assistance for employees who legally adopt a child(ren) while employed at Navy Federal and matches 100% (up to the first $500 annually) that an employee contributes to their Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account (FSA), 

• Maternity-related benefits: CareFirst PPO members and their spouses have access to the Healthy Mom and Baby Program using the Ovia Pregnancy app. Navy Federal also offers lactation facilities for nursing mothers, vocational coaching for pre/post maternity leave, fertility and infertility counseling and training for managers on how to support new parents before and after parental leave.

• Care-taking benefits: Navy Federal's EAP provides up-to-date, carefully screened, national resources and referrals for a range of childcare and eldercare needs including:

  • Family daycare and group homes.

  • Summer camps.

  • Back-up care for children and adults.

  • Nurseries and preschools.

  • Adoption and special needs.

  • Nanny and au pair services.

  • Before and after school programs.

  • Nationwide discounts for childcare providers, online learning and tutoring services.

Interested in a career at Navy Federal? Check out open positions by clicking the link below!

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Fairygodboss is proud to partner with Navy Federal Credit Union. Find a job there today! 

Navy Federal values and celebrates diversity in the workplace. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.