GRAFTON, Mass.-There are several reasons Lloyd Hamm, Jr., took the CEO's job at Grafton Suburban CU, but none bigger than the former banker wanting to execute management and business philosophies that center on helping people.
"So much of the banking side is focused on profitability," offered Hamm, who worked for more than 26 years at Eastern Bank Corp. in Boston. "But I always believed long-term franchise value comes from excellent service and excellent products consistently delivered from talented staff over a period of time. That is what the credit union industry is known for and is exactly what I want to do at Grafton."
Hamm sees strong leadership skills as critical to the success of CEOs, and at GSCU Hamm will get the opportunity to be a more hands-on leader. At Eastern Bank Hamm rose through the ranks, starting in the technology area and then ending his stint as chief administrative officer, where he managed more than 1,300 staff and 100 branches. "People would be hired, work in my area for years, and then leave and I never even knew them. I did not like that."
At the $130-million GSCU, which has one location, Hamm has a staff of 35 he is committed helping grow and become more effective team members. He likes the smaller staff because he can be more involved in hiring, choosing the most talented people to lead the organization forward.
"Here, too, I can be engaged with the member and the community every day. That is exciting. I am 53 years old and I want to finish my career by building Grafton Suburban into something truly special."
Broad Base of Experience
Hamm has experience in operations, technology, consumer credit, mortgages, collections, business banking, and branching. Hamm also has run a small college, having been COO at Anna Maria College in Paxton, Mass., and dean of its business school before coming to GSCU.
While Hamm said he enjoyed his roles at the college-where he and his wife received their undergraduate degrees-he had a strong desire to get back into financial services. "When I saw this Grafton job pop up I knew it was perfect for me. I wanted to get into the CU movement and the credit union is close to where I grew up and where I live today. I always dreamed of coming back home to work-I know the businesses, the media here, and the people."
One thing Hamm still has to adjust to is saying "members," not customers. It's a habit he is quickly breaking.
"I spent so many years in banks, so I can slip at times. Since I started at Grafton over a month ago, I have been stopping in early in the morning to visit with employees as they open up and then talking with members as they come in. Members see the credit union as something they truly have a vested interest in. Bank customers see the bank as 'their bank,' but they don't think they have a stake in it. Credit union members are different and they see themselves as truly the Reason the credit union exists. I was told this was the case, but it has been refreshing to see it in person."
