Veronica Bustillos has her work cut out for her. She’s the single mother of four kids – an 11-year-old, an 8-year-old, and 5-year-old twins. She also teaches physical fitness, including Tai Bo, at Vancouver Elite Gymnastics Academy for adults and to high school students.
Veronica, an upbeat, energetic mom who’s savvy and independent, had a rough move to the Vancouver area. She was already going through a difficult divorce. To add to the frustrations of trying to get her finances in order, Veronica had a sinking feeling that because of her Mexican heritage, she was being negatively judged by the people who were supposed to be serving her. At Columbia, however, she finally got the respect and understanding she was looking for.
“Columbia Credit Union has been probably the most personable, friendly, family-oriented firm I’ve ever belonged to,” she says. “Columbia was the only one that would help me get on my feet.”
Veronica has savings and checking accounts, as well as an auto loan, with Columbia. Her kids have savings accounts and certificates with Columbia too – and even they enjoy visiting the Cascade Park branch.
“They say it’s because of the suckers,” she says, referring to the Dum-Dum candies offered at the branch. “But I know they get treated like gold.”
This smart mom is raising all four of her kids to have good financial sense. When they want a toy or other non-essential treat, they have to spend their own money. Veronica says that because her kids are involved in their own finances, they choose not to buy the item nine times out of 10.
“They’re the ones who deal with the money,” she says. “I love that the teller counts out the money, gives them the receipt, and that they’re treated like members.”
» Veronica's tips to help kids save
It was apparent that Veronica made an impression on Columbia’s staff when they referred her for a series of commercials. She was recently filmed in a spot with Columbia CEO Parker Cann, during which she taught him a few Tai Bo moves.
“Parker was such as sweetheart,” she says. After joking around with him during the shoot, she felt like they were old friends. If she ever saw him walking down the street, she says, “I’d give him a big hug.”
Once she met Parker and other members of the Columbia team, Veronica began to see why the tellers and loan officers she had worked with were so welcoming. “Now I understand why they’re personable, friendly and kind – because they have leadership that’s the same way,” she says. “They treat you like family.”
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