Tom Griffiths, president, Iowa CU League

Will mobile banking be a mainstream CU service within five years?

Tom Griffiths, president, Iowa CU League

First job and lessons learned: Working as a laborer on a masonry crew I learned a lot—most of which didn't please my mother. On the positive side, I learned: 1) People from different backgrounds and disciplines will respect you if you work shoulder-to-shoulder with them; and 2) maybe I really should give college a try.

What attracted me to the CU movement: I was in the Navy in Guam in 1969 and needed $300 to get married and buy a [very] used car. A senior petty officer took me to NAVMAR Federal Credit Union, where I received a loan and, through payroll deduction, put a few dollars into savings each payday. Frankly, I forgot about those deductions. When I changed duty stations, NAVMAR Federal gave me a $1,500 check. After that, I was hooked on credit unions.

Proudest professional accomplishments: While at the league, I served on the steering committee for the Campaign for Consumer Choice and witnessed President Clinton's signing of H.R. 1151 in the Oval Office. I have fond memories of my time as chairman of the American Association of Credit Union Leagues (AACUL), formerly the Association of Credit Union League Executives. I've been honored to receive CUNA Mutual Group's Roy F. Bergengren Award, AACUL's Eagle Award, and the Eugene H. Farley League Leadership Award. Also, in Iowa, we're proud that during much of the past 25 years our credit unions maintained a 100% league affiliation rate.

How my leadership style has changed: I've always tried to be cooperative and to support team effort. The difference today is I'm more patient and don't feel the need to grab the reins as often or as quickly. And I'm old enough to know how to apologize and mean it.

Professional motto: "There's no limit to what can be accomplished if you don't care who gets the credit."

The perfect day: A day of bird hunting, fishing, or golf [or a combination] pursued to exhaustion, followed by a martini and a steak with my wife and old credit union friends. Oh, and as long as it's supposed to be perfect, let's have the drinks and dinner overlooking the surf in Hawaii.

Where I'll be in 10 years: I hope I'm doing my best to capture that "perfect day."


Will mobile banking be a mainstream CU service within five years? Yes No	Tom Griffiths, president, Iowa CU League First job and lessons learned: Working as a laborer on a masonry crew I learned a lot—most of which didn't please my mother. On the positive side, I learned: 1) People from different backgrounds and disciplines will respect you if you work shoulder-to-shoulder with them; and 2) maybe I really should give college a try. What attracted me to the CU movement: I was in the Navy in Guam in 1969 and needed $300 to get married and buy a [very] used car. A senior petty officer took me to NAVMAR Federal Credit Union, where I received a loan and, through payroll deduction, put a few dollars into savings each payday. Frankly, I forgot about those deductions. When I changed duty stations, NAVMAR Federal gave me a $1,500 check. After that, I was hooked on credit unions. Proudest professional accomplishments: While at the league, I served on the steering committee for the Campaign for Consumer Choice and witnessed President Clinton's signing of H.R. 1151 in the Oval Office. I have fond memories of my time as chairman of the American Association of Credit Union Leagues (AACUL), formerly the Association of Credit Union League Executives. I've been honored to receive CUNA Mutual Group's Roy F. Bergengren Award, AACUL's Eagle Award, and the Eugene H. Farley League Leadership Award. Also, in Iowa, we're proud that during much of the past 25 years our credit unions maintained a 100% league affiliation rate. How my leadership style has changed: I've always tried to be cooperative and to support team effort. The difference today is I'm more patient and don't feel the need to grab the reins as often or as quickly. And I'm old enough to know how to apologize and mean it. Professional motto: "There's no limit to what can be accomplished if you don't care who gets the credit." The perfect day: A day of bird hunting, fishing, or golf [or a combination] pursued to exhaustion, followed by a martini and a steak with my wife and old credit union friends. Oh, and as long as it's supposed to be perfect, let's have the drinks and dinner overlooking the surf in Hawaii. Where I'll be in 10 years: I hope I'm doing my best to capture that "perfect day."
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