JACKSONVILLE, Fla.-University of Pennsylvania College Freshman Paulo Bautista recently completed a summer internship with Community First CU here, during which the Wharton Business School student conducted an evaluation of the alternate options of corporate and municipal bonds. Below, the credit union responds to questions from Credit Union Journal regarding Bautista's contributions:
CU Journal: Why did the credit union opt to have an intern tackle this project?
Community First: Community First's leadership team had been exploring this issue. When Mr. Bautista expressed interest in learning about investment portfolios and the process that a credit union goes through in building them, it seemed like a mutually beneficial endeavor for both him and our organization.
CU Journal: Had the CU received guidance in this area previously?
Community First: We had not received any guidance in this area prior to Mr. Bautista's internship and have only been exploring this as an option for our investments.
CU Journal: How did you come to select Bautista?
Community First: Our CEO, John Hirabayashi, made acquaintance with Mr. Bautista through a Community First-sponsored American Asian Alliance event. Paulo then reached out to our organization with an expressed interest in a six-week summer project.
CU Journal: What did you learn or what insights were gained from his report?
Community First: Following the presentation of Mr. Bautista's findings at an Asset Liability Committee meeting, careful consideration of the research determined this option was not favorable for our investments at this time.
CU Journal: Will the CU be using students to conduct other such projects?
Community First: At Community First, our core values include collaboration and community focus. Because this type of project is beneficial to the credit union and the young adults of this community, using students for other such projects is certainly a possibility.
