You Have to Keep Learning Throughout Your Life - Laura Thompson

Laura Thompson is a retired SVP/CIO at the famous Orange County's Credit Union. She inherited her passion for credit unions from her family, who have been involved with credit unions for decades. For her, credit unions, or careers in general, aren't only about getting promotions and earning more money. They’re about broadening knowledge and fostering mutual respect among members and colleagues, no matter what industry they belong to.

According to Laura, knowledge is a never-ending journey that is a prerequisite for growth. She is happy to hear that there are student-run credit unions whose members and associates are highly motivated young people ready to help others and ensure a stable future. One issue: Many of them want everything, and they want it now. But good things come slowly, says Laura, and they pay off eventually.

Continuing the discussion, she suggests people should focus on becoming better at what they do instead of concentrating on the promotion itself. She also tackles the challenges faced by credit unions regarding technology and digital banking, adding that members still love credit unions despite their uneven tech implementation.