COLUMBIA, Md.–As part of Black History Month, Bert Hash, the former CEO of MECU Credit Union, shared recollections of his credit union career, advice on strategy, and insights into what other African-Americans and others need to do to become CEOs.
Editor’s Note: Hash was interviewed by Shannon Russell, communications and marketing manager with the MD|DC Credit Union Association, which was first to report the interview.
Hash was born in North Carolina, but migrated with his family to Aberdeen, Md. where he graduated from high school in the last segregated graduating class. He then headed to Morgan State University in Baltimore, where he majored in business administration and minored in economics. He also met his wife there, to whom he’s been married for more than 50 years.
After graduation, he was encouraged to work in the financial industry at a job fair, and he took a leap of faith and has never looked back, the MDDCUA reported.
Hash said he has always been good with numbers and knew he wanted to be in charge. He would go on to lead and manage two banks for 27 years, developing expertise in the secondary mortgage market and mortgage-backed securities. He learned how to be an income producer and was skilled at teaching others how to do the same. His success led him to MECU Credit Union, where he served as the CEO for 18 years.
Lines Out the Door
When Hash arrived at MECU Credit Union in 1996, there were 61 employees, 50,000 members, no computers, and no ATMs. He recalls seeing lines out the door daily to receive assistance from the branch. Hash credits his board of director at the time for trusting him and allowing him to lead MECU. He said he also understood the importance of cultivating a strong team where everyone knew the goals of the credit union and could contribute, no matter their title or position.
Under Hash’s leadership ATMs were ordered, cash was distributed to members for the first time, computers were installed, and 13 branches were opened, two of which were student-run. Hash also partnered with banks to utilize their ATMs, making it easier for members to access their money wherever they were. During his 18 years at MECU, Hash grew the credit union to $1.4-billion in assets from $435 million.
The Advice
According to Hash, a credit union can be as strategic as it wants, but without a strong team the strategic goals will never be accomplished. Instead, he said everyone needs to be involved in understanding what’s happening within the credit union, no matter their position.
Other Points
Hash also offered these thoughts:
- Advice for minorities who may be the only one in a room full of leaders? “Know who you are and focus on diversity of thought and what you can add to the goals at hand.”
- Advice for African-American women and men who aspire to one day be a CEO at a credit union? “Respect everyone, get involved, go to the meetings, let people get to know you, and put yourself out there. Get to know other people at other credit unions and get involved in events outside of work as much as possible.”
- How to be successful as a CEO? Being successful as a CEO means getting involved with committees and events at the association and involving staff, as well. “You have to invest in your staff and educate them, so they can continue to progress in their careers and move your credit union forward,” he said.