Member Spotlight: Cheryl Sisk

CUNA Councils
February 22, 2007

Cheryl Sisk has been vice president of lending at USA Federal Credit Union in San Diego for the last three and one-half years. She was born in Inglewood, California and raised in the Los Angeles area. For the last 18 years she has lived in San Diego. Cheryl and her husband of 26 years have two daughters and one granddaughter.

“I started in the financial world in 1982 in the savings and loan industry in the Los Angeles area,” says Cheryl. “I love the credit union industry for all that it gives to the community, its members, and its employees. I wouldn’t leave the industry for anything!”

Biggest challenge

Loan growth. We are all facing the same battles and challenges. However, it is nice to know that I am not alone in that challenge.

Best advice

For lending, stay on top of the market, whether it is real estate, auto (indirect or direct), business, etc. It is so important to your credit union's success that you, as a leader in the lending industry, know not only what your individual credit union needs are, but also what obstacles you may face due to market changes.

Greatest benefit of Council membership

I absolutely love the Listserv. I am addicted to it. There is such a wealth of information out there and without the Listserv, the information would not be shared so easily.

Best part of my job

The people I work with and the everyday challenges.

Hardest part of my job

Not enough time in the day.

Success story

I just love lending, because whether the borrower is good, bad or so-so, I try to look at the good part of the application. That doesn't always mean that I will approve every loan. Sometimes denying a loan is the best thing for that member. I have had success in denying loans, just as I have had success in approving loans.

Hobbies and interests

Fishing, fishing and more fishing. Can you tell I love fishing? I also love to read and camp in my motor home. My newest hobby is my new granddaughter—I can hardly wait until she is old enough to fish!

People would be most surprised to learn that I . . .

Love to fish so much. I even have my own pair of waders!

Most recent book

I love novels, especially Nora Roberts.

Life goal not yet achieved

Chief lending officer position. Also traveling around the country with my husband in a big comfortable motor home.

If I had an extra hour in the day . . .

I would spend it with my family, preferably fishing.