Linda Gentile & Georgia Heritage Federal Credit Union: Putting Members First

GHFCU & the Coastal Empire

Georgia Heritage Federal Credit Union (GHFCU) is one of the Coastal Empire’s oldest locally-owned financial institutions. It strives to “make a positive difference for its members and the communities it serves.”

GHFCU currently has four branches—including two branches in Savannah, one branch in Pooler and another in Rincon—and an ITM/ATM location in Georgetown, granting it the “opportunity to serve anyone who lives, works, worships or attends school in Chatham, Effingham and Bryan Counties and their immediate family members.”

Linda Gentile, computer operations specialist, has been on the GHFCU team for over three years.

Service as a Marine

Linda, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran, worked in avionics as an aircraft electrician while serving. That is when she realized how much she enjoyed working in computer operations. She worked on computer systems for both the Harrier Jet and the F-18 Fighter Jet, working on the Harrier while stationed in Arizona and the F-18 while in South Carolina. She was able to capitalize on her skill set while under assignment in Iwakuni, Japan where she worked on both.

Linda was honored to be a part of the proficient teams that contributed to the overall improvements of the jets—the safety and performance of two of the country’s most vital defensive aircrafts. After completing her military service, Linda furthered her education in information technology (IT).

“I’ve always liked the challenge of it all,” she states.

The GHFCU Team

In her current role, Linda is part of the IT team, working behind the scenes to ensure operations flow effectively and expeditiously for employees each day.

“I like helping our employees work smarter. This way, they can aid our members more efficiently. Our job is to help make employees’ lives easier. I think we work fluidly together. I love the team we have here. We have the most awesome staff—ready and willing to help,” she says.

Linda’s team regards her just as much and appreciates her priceless contributions to GHFCU.

“Having Linda on the team makes a huge difference. She is always willing to lend a hand and is crucial to Georgia Heritage Federal Credit Union’s success,” states Tim Beeson, Vice President of IT.

Services for Members

GHFCU provides its members with a variety of valuable services to accommodate their diverse financial needs, whether offering consumer and home loans or online banking, mobile app, remote check deposit and digital wallet features, to name a few. GHFCU renders innovative banking solutions with a perk that few financial establishments in Georgia provide: Teller Interactive Machines (TIMs).

TIM performs the services that a branch teller provides and many that an Automatic Teller Machine (ATM) does not. Customers can visit TIM instead of going into the branch or drive-through.

“There’s all kinds of services it offers that you normally cannot do through an ATM, whether paying on loans or doing account transfers,” Linda comments.

TIM, with its enhanced self-serve ability, has proved to be a real asset, especially for members needing to do more complex financial transactions outside of normal business hours.

“It’s an ATM with a kick,” she jokes.

What Matters

Linda is confident that the entire GHFCU team provides unparalleled service to members.

 “We are a local institution, which helps us in getting to know our members more personally and meet their needs better,” she says.

That said, some representatives know members by name. That smaller, down-home feel is evident at GHFCU, where members feel they matter and experience the peace-of-mind knowing that the services they receive best fit their individual needs.

“I’ve seen the way our members respond to our front office personnel. It’s not something you find in a larger setting. Some tellers know members the minute they walk in the door,” Linda notes.

Some customers have found the flexibility and ease of obtaining certain benefits such as consumer loans to be rarely matched in the industry.

“We have wonderful teams at all our locations. They will work hard for you to get you what you need. Our member services representatives and our loan departments want to get you what fits you best.”

Georgia Heritage Federal Credit Union is an Equal Housing Lender (NMLS ID# 446248).

Locations:

Lathrop Branch & Main Office: 1085 West Lathrop Ave, Savannah

Stephenson Branch: 200 Stephenson Ave., Suite 100, Savannah

Pooler Branch: 102 Park Ave., Pooler | Rincon Branch: 5745 Hwy 21 South, Rincon

(912) 236-4400 | (800) 442-8877 | www.gaheritagefcu.org