Celebrating an anniversary offers an opportunity to reflect, learn and look forward to the future. Whether it’s romantic or professional, one year or 30 years, pausing to appreciate important milestones helps connect us to the journey we have been on and the person we have become. This month, Deposit Operations Manager Wendi Fallon is celebrating 30 years working for Merrimack Valley Credit Union (MVCU). When reflecting on her professional journey, it is the credit union’s community-focus and the special connections she has made with credit union members that have helped Wendi to thrive over the past three decades.
Wendi’s career in the financial world began before she finished high school, starting out as a part-time teller at Methuen Co-operative Bank at the end of her senior year. She worked as a teller for several years before taking time off to care for her three young children. When she was ready to return to work, Wendi saw a job ad from MVCU and decided to apply. She became a part-time teller at MVCU’s former corporate office location in North Andover, Mass.
For Wendi, working locally in a community credit union offered her many opportunities to connect with the members she served. “I often ran into people that I knew from school at the branch I was working at,” Wendi recalls. “It was fun to re-connect with people this way.” These connections became important to Wendi as she moved into leadership roles at MVCU.
Wendi first moved from her teller position to MVCU’s records and mail room, where she learned more about the behind-the-scenes operations of the credit union. Since then, Wendi has worked as a full-time teller, a lead teller, a branch manager in MVCU’s Plaistow location and in the Methuen branch. She held the latter role for eight years before becoming MVCU’s deposit operations manager in July of 2022.
Over the years, Wendi has made lasting connections with MVCU members. “Just making time to get to know people is so important and makes a difference,” says Wendi. “Taking the time to listen and be empathetic truly matters.” Wendi frequently checks in with, and sends cards, to members she has connected with, including an elderly member that Wendi’s family has provided support for.
“There is a special elderly member that I’ve connected with who is a widow with no children, but is someone who is such a social and sweet person,” Wendi describes. “I check in with her regularly and she has become like a part of the family. She once had an accident, and my son [a Methuen firefighter] actually was on the ambulance who responded. My husband and I picked her up from the hospital and brought her groceries.”
Fallon has been a member of Methuen's Kiwanis Club for years, promoting children's health and safety.
While working in the branches, Wendi got to know many MVCU members and their families, often working with them through milestones and watching their children grow up. She values the important roles that a financial institution plays in people’s lives and believes that building a trusting relationship with members is paramount. “It’s special how people trust you and come to you for financial needs every step of the way — for their homes, new cars, and more,” says Wendi. “These are things that separate us from just being someplace people bank with. We truly care about people and take the time to get to know them. Moreover, they get to know me and ask about my family too.”
Despite her passion for working face-to-face with members, Wendi was excited for a new challenge when the role of deposit operations manager opened up. When she assumed this role last July, her office moved to MVCU’s Lawrence corporate building.
“I think I needed a change,” says Wendi. “I had a lot of experience on the front lines and it’s worked out well transitioning over here. It’s been something new, different and exciting. It’s pushing me to learn new things and challenge myself.”
When asked about what advice she would give teammates who are just starting out their careers at MVCU, Wendi replied with no hesitation: “Everyone’s feedback is important, so embrace it! It’s also important to have good communication and to take the time to get to know people, both members and teammates. Don’t take things personally and look forward to growth opportunities—of which there are many at MVCU.”
Top of page: Fallon with one of her six grandchilren, Vinny. Above: At work and play, (a concert, of course) with her husband Sean.
Outside of her work at MVCU, Wendi is an active member of her community and a die-hard country music fan. She has been a member of Methuen’s Kiwanis Club for five years, promoting children’s health and safety with events such as car seat checkpoints and bike safety rodeos. Additionally, Wendi has attended dozens of country music concerts over the years and looks forward to seeing Kane Brown at Fenway Park with her husband this summer.
Wendi is also a mother and grandmother who is often found spending time with her five children, with ages ranging from 20 to 35, and her six grandchildren. She loves attending their dance recitals, sports events and plays, as well as taking trips together, doing crafts and playing games as a family.