NextGen Leaders: Jae Kim
Jae Kim CFP, CIM, FCSI
Branch Manager/Branch Compliance Manager | $14 billion Servus Credit Union Edmonton, Alberta
Follow Jae on Twitter
Follow him on LinkedIn
Watch Jae’s CUES Next Top Credit Union Exec video
Give us the elevator speech about your project (as in how would you describe your project to someone you meet in an elevator?):
My project is all about leveraging the principle of “co-operation among co-operatives.” I believe as credit unions we often feel small, local and confined to our communities/local markets. It’s time to think bigger and disrupt. The CU movement and network is global with over 57,000 credit unions worldwide. If we can leverage the connection and cooperation of this massive network, we can change how the world views and experiences financial services.
My elevator speech would be:
“Have you heard of a global network of 217 million members connected worldwide that own over $1.57 trillion in assets – they have a say in the operations of their 57,000+ head offices in over 106 countries… Do you know what type of network this is?
My project is all about leveraging what is already in place to help this system grow, capture best ideas in local markets to share among 106 countries and to improve access to information and collaboration among this network to improve services across borders for our over 217 million members as they move, relocate and travel.
This network is… The Credit Union Movement!!! We represent people helping people and will disrupt how the world experiences banking."
What is your long-term career goal?
My career goals are aligned to my passions of increasing financial literacy and guiding teams to provide first class financial planning to all members.
I am extremely passionate about our industry and leading teams. I see myself continuing as a leader and taking on greater responsibilities and projects not only for my CU but for our industry as well.
My long-term career goal would be in wealth/asset management – leading strategies in helping all members reach financial stability and a comfortable retirement.
Fill in the dots: The future of credit unions will be bright if ...
… we innovate and collaborate toward building a better world. At Servus, our vision is to "build a better world -- one member at a time." I truly believe it starts with that one member's experience. If we can deliver the full force of the CU experience and build loyalty, it will then lead to member advocacy.
What my generation brings to the credit union movement is …
… pure “disruption.”
My generation is extremely passionate, highly educated, has many different perspectives based on our life and cultural experiences and we constantly challenge and disrupt how we may have operated in the past. My generation, collectively, brings the creativity to help shape and grow the movement for future generations.
Online voters and a panel of past finalists narrowed the CUES Next Top Credit Union Exec field from 20 to the Top 15 applicants. The challenge, held in conjunction with DDJ Myers and administered by Currency, searches for emerging leaders age 35 and under from within the credit union industry.
The Top 15 will blog about their project. And to provide additional value to the competition experience, they’ll each receive an executive coaching session from DDJ Myers, a CUES Supplier member and strategic provider. A judging panel of two CUES members and Deedee Myers of DDJ Myers will then score the Top 15’s applications and blog posts, narrowing the competition to five finalists.
The five finalists will receive additional coaching, airfare, accommodation and registration to CUES’ CEO/Executive Team Network™, Nov. 8-11 in Scottsdale, Ariz., where they will give their final presentations. The 2015 CUES Next Top Credit Union Exec will receive further coaching, airfare, accommodation and registration for two CUES’ CEO Institutes, a total prize package valued at $20,000
People consider me a leader because …
… I bring people together to WIN. My core beliefs in leadership can be summed up by one Tom Peters quote: “Leaders don’t create followers; they create more leaders.” I focus my time on engaging, motivating, holding myself and teams accountable, and also developing future leaders for the CU movement. I believe people consider me a leader because we’ve proven it consistently by investing in our people and developing leaders -- this has led to great success = WINNING!
Who is your hero and why?
My heroes and role models are my parents. They came to Canada from Korea over 35 years ago with less than $100 with them. My work ethic and drive is correlated to my experiences growing up seeing what they endured to help create a better life for my brothers and me. They are the ultimate example of those who are selfless – a very difficult attribute in today’s world. I’m very fortunate that my family and girls also have them in our lives.
Who is a must-follow on Twitter?
@CFAInstitute was recently rated top 10 performing association on social media. The CFA Institute is a world class association for investment professionals. I consider them a must follow on Twitter because they bring a wide range of relevant content consistently throughout the day. I also have lots of respect for this association as they hold their candidates and charter holders to the highest level of ethical standards in the industry.
@WOCCU, @CUNA, @TheRealCUES & @CUinsight for all my day-to-day credit union news and education.
@Devo9911 the original Servus CU young leader and NTCUE’s 2011 winner!
Does your credit union have Twitter/Facebook/YouTube/Pinterest/LinkedIn/ Instagram other social media accounts? Please provide links:
Twitter
Facebook
YouTube
LinkedIn
Instagram
What is your favorite CUES member benefit? Or, if you are a new CUES NextGen member, what benefit are you most looking forward to using?
I enjoy learning so the webinars will be a great benefit but my one favorite benefit will be CUES Net. Being able to email and connect with nearly 2,000 peers is definitely the greatest benefit I’m looking forward to!
CUES Next Top Credit Union Exec team
