What Sets Us Apart — The SCU Advisory Difference
Steinbach Credit Union does not employ commissioned salespeople. Every financial advisor, loan officer, and wealth management specialist on our team receives a salary — not a percentage of what you borrow or invest. This structure eliminates the incentive to push products that generate the highest fees and instead encourages recommendations that genuinely fit your circumstances. It is a different approach, and it shows in the long-term relationships our team builds with members.
Meet the Team
The Steinbach Credit Union advisory team includes professionals with credentials spanning Certified Financial Planner (CFP), Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA), Certified Public Accountant (CPA), and Accredited Financial Counselor (AFC) designations. Our mortgage loan officers carry active NMLS licensing and participate in continuing education on fair lending practices and regulatory compliance. The commercial lending team combines banking credentials with hands-on experience in agriculture, manufacturing, and small-business operations — they understand balance sheets and cash-flow analysis because they have worked with them in the real world.
Dr. Allison Hartwick leads the financial advisory division as Senior Financial Advisor. With a doctorate in finance and dual certifications as a CFP and CFA, she has spent over twenty years helping individuals and families navigate complex financial terrain — from retirement income planning and tax-efficient investing to estate coordination and long-term care strategies. Her approach centers on education: every consultation leaves members better informed about their options, regardless of whether they decide to act immediately.
The mortgage lending team, headed by seasoned loan officers with an average of fifteen years in residential lending, specializes in making the homebuying process transparent. They walk members through rate comparisons, closing-cost estimates, and the full timeline from pre-approval to keys in hand. In-house underwriting — a rarity among smaller financial institutions — means decisions happen locally and quickly, not in a distant corporate office that has never seen your community.
Business banking specialists at SCU bring particular strength in agricultural finance. Several team members grew up on family farms and understand the rhythm of planting, harvest, and equipment replacement cycles that define agricultural cash flow. The commercial lending team also serves manufacturing, retail, and professional service businesses with working capital lines, equipment financing, and SBA loan facilitation. For information about SBA loan programs and borrower protections, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau publishes resources at consumerfinance.gov.
Expert Specialties
| Name / Role | Specialty | Experience | Certifications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dr. Allison Hartwick, Senior Financial Advisor | Wealth management, retirement income planning, investment strategy | 21 years | CFP, CFA, PhD Finance |
| James Reimer, Senior Mortgage Loan Officer | Residential mortgages, FHA/VA loans, refinancing, first-time homebuyer programs | 17 years | NMLS #2345678, Certified Mortgage Advisor |
| Elena Vasquez, Business Lending Manager | Commercial lending, SBA loans, agricultural finance, equipment financing | 14 years | Certified Commercial Lender (CCL) |
| Thomas Berglund, Wealth Advisor | IRA and 401(k) rollovers, education savings plans, estate coordination | 12 years | CFP, AFC |
| Rachel Swanson, Financial Counselor | Debt management, budgeting, credit building, first-time investor guidance | 9 years | AFC, Certified Credit Union Financial Counselor |
| David Okonkwo, Agricultural Loan Officer | Farm operating loans, equipment financing, seasonal credit lines, land acquisition | 11 years | NMLS #3456789, BS Agricultural Economics |
How Consultations Work
Scheduling a consultation with a Steinbach Credit Union advisor is straightforward. Call (218) 555-0147 and indicate the area of interest — mortgage lending, business financing, wealth management, or general financial planning — and the member services representative will match you with the appropriate specialist. Appointments are available Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM at all three branch locations. Phone consultations are also available for preliminary discussions or for members who live at a distance from a branch.
Initial consultations are complimentary for SCU members. This session typically lasts 45 to 60 minutes and covers your current financial picture, near-term and long-term goals, questions about specific products or strategies, and a preliminary discussion of options. There is no obligation to proceed with any recommendation, and members frequently use the initial consultation simply to get oriented before making a decision on their own timeline. For mortgage pre-qualification specifically, the consultation often includes a soft credit pull and an estimated borrowing range so you can shop for homes with a clear budget in mind.
Certain specialized wealth management and investment advisory services involve fees, which are discussed transparently and in writing before any commitment. Fee structures, performance expectations, and services included are reviewed during the consultation so members can make fully informed choices. This transparency reflects the credit union philosophy: members own the institution, and that ownership includes the right to understand exactly what they are paying for.