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In the spring of 1994, Cindy walked into Surety Bank—not to apply for a job, but to apply for a mortgage. She and her family had recently moved from Michigan, and Surety was simply the place she trusted to help them settle into their new home. What she didn’t expect was that the bank would also offer her something even more life-changing—a career that would span more than three decades.
“I didn’t have to look very hard for a job,” Cindy recalls with a laugh. “They saw that I had banking experience and called me up because they needed a teller.”
It was the start of a journey that would see Cindy grow from a front-line teller to a key part of the bank’s payroll and HR team. Over the years, she became a steady presence in the bank’s evolving landscape, witnessing firsthand how technology transformed the industry. When she first started, many processes were still manual—checks were physically run through proof machines, reconciliations were done by hand, and not everyone even had a computer at their desk.
“I remember when we had to share computers,” she says. “That didn’t last too long, but things were a lot different back then.”
Cindy’s career path took her from teller to bookkeeping, then into accounting, and eventually into payroll and HR, where she found her niche. She describes her work as being part of a team that always pulled together to solve challenges—a culture of collaboration and adaptability that made Surety Bank feel like home.
“We always worked together to find solutions,” Cindy reflects. “Even though my role became more specialized over the years, it was always about teamwork.”
For Cindy, working at Surety Bank wasn’t just about the job—it was about the life it allowed her to build. Living just three miles from the bank, she was able to balance her career while staying closely involved in raising her children, supporting her husband, and nurturing her faith.
“I’ve been able to have my life at home and my life here at work,” she says. “It’s been a blessing to have a career that allowed me to be present for the things that mattered most—my family, my husband, and my faith.”
As much as she dedicated herself to her work, Cindy never lost sight of what was most important. She is deeply grateful that her time at Surety allowed her to grow professionally while still prioritizing the people she loved.
Looking back, Cindy remembers the many friendships, the changes that brought new ideas, and the way she adapted alongside the bank. Perhaps most of all, she values the relationships she built—with colleagues who became like family and customers who left a lasting impression.
Now, as she steps into retirement, Cindy is ready for a new chapter—one that revolves around her grandchildren, travel, and time with family in Michigan. It’s a bittersweet transition, but one that feels right.
“I never dreamed I’d be working someplace for 31 years,” she admits. “But as it turns out, it really went by fast.”
For those just starting their careers in banking, Cindy offers a simple but powerful piece of advice: “Be open to learning all aspects of the job. Take your time, think things through, and just go with the flow.”
After 31 years of steady dedication, Cindy leaves behind a legacy of resilience, kindness, and adaptability—a perfect reflection of the values that make Surety Bank so special. While she may be stepping away from her desk, the impact she’s made at Surety Bank will remain for years to come.
Thank you, Cindy, for 31 incredible years. Your Surety Bank family will miss you!
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