Five Questions With: Maria Dias

Maria Dias is Navigant Credit Union’s new branch manager of its newest branch, which is in the Slatersville section of North Smithfield. / COURTESY NAVIGANT CREDIT UNION
Maria Dias is Navigant Credit Union’s new branch manager of its newest branch, which is in the Slatersville section of North Smithfield. / COURTESY NAVIGANT CREDIT UNION

Maria Dias is Navigant Credit Union’s new branch manager of the financial institution’s newest branch, which is in the Slatersville section of North Smithfield. A Lincoln resident, Dias is responsible for overseeing branch operations, assisting members, developing new business and managing branch employees. She talks with Providence Business News about the new locale.
PBN: Congratulations on the new position! Can you tell our readers a little bit about your new responsibilities?
DIAS:
My responsibilities as branch manager at Navigant Credit Union’s new Slatersville location include overseeing all day-to-day branch operations, bringing new members to the Credit Union and supervising the branch’s seven additional employees.
PBN: What about your professional history has prepared you for this role?
DIAS:
I’ve been in the banking industry for nearly 40 years – so it’s safe to say I have a good amount of experience under my belt. I started my career at Bank of America 37 years ago as a teller. It was my first-ever job in the “real world” – and my first professional experience in the United States (I moved here from Portugal). Over the years, I served as head teller, customer service representative, assistant branch manager, and – for the last 17 years – as branch manager. I feel very fortunate to have had the opportunity to learn and grow from every angle of the business – and I’m excited to continue learning in my new role at Navigant Credit Union.
PBN: Are there any particular areas of banking you would like the branch to focus on?
DIAS:
Navigant Credit Union appealed to me because of its flexibility and tireless commitment to serve each and every one of its members’ individual needs. My goal is to make sure the new Slatersville branch follow in the footsteps of the other successful Navigant Credit Union locations across the state, offering our members a wide range of products and providing them with the very best customer service.
PBN: Why Slatersville?
DIAS:
Before we opened the new branch in May, the Slatersville section of North Smithfield was a relatively untapped area for the credit union. Our members in North Smithfield typically banked at our branch in Park Square in Woonsocket – around three miles away from the new Slatersville location. We heard from our members and from North Smithfield residents that a new branch would be welcomed with open arms, so we listened, and it became a strategic priority. For more than 100 years, Navigant Credit Union’s goal has been to offer excellent service to any of our friends and neighbors who walked in our door – and opening a new branch certainly advanced that goal.
PBN: Why should Slatersville residents consider banking with Navigant Credit Union?
DIAS:
When I speak with prospective new members about the advantages of joining Navigant Credit Union, I always lead with our people. From the president of the credit union to the entry-level tellers who, like I was 37 years ago, are just launching their careers – Navigant Credit Union employees are warm, inclusive and tirelessly dedicated to their craft. We’re the oldest community credit union in the state and among the strongest credit unions across the country – and that’s because we’ve never lost sight of our biggest priority: helping our members realize their financial dreams. I’ve only worked at Navigant Credit Union for a few months – but thanks to my colleagues and our members – I already feel at home.

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