As City Executive of Self-Help Credit Union’s new Harps Mill Road branch in Raleigh, Kimberly Williams’ favorite part of her job is connecting with people in her community and working with them to meet their financial needs. A career banker of more than 30 years, Kimberly has had first-hand experience in big and small financial institutions, and since 2020 has lent her skills and experience to Self-Help’s mission of creating and protecting ownership and economic opportunity for all.

After working for Bank of America and M&F Bank, Kimberly saw that the biggest difference between banks and credit unions like Self-Help is that everything Self-Help does is deeply grounded in its mission.

“The mission really becomes part of your professional DNA and drives everything you do,” Kimberly says.

While Self-Help has grown rapidly from its home in Durham to branches in North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, Virginia, California, Illinois, Wisconsin and Washington state, the recent opening of the Raleigh branch was an occasion for optimism for Kimberly. Relatively new to Self-Help’s staff, she noted that she’s looking forward to working more with members in her hometown.

“Now that I know the mission and accomplishments of Self-Help in neighboring communities, I'm excited that the Raleigh branch has this opportunity to bring the mission here so this community can benefit from it.”

Kimberly and regional manager Tamara Stanley have been busy meeting with local nonprofits and finding mission-aligned partners in the vicinity of the Raleigh branch to better understand how they can form fruitful partnerships.

Kimberly was especially excited about the Raleigh branch’s recent Business After Hours event, which included the Raleigh Chamber of Commerce. This event provided an opportunity for Self-Help to reconnect with members of the local business community face to face after a long period of COVID-19 restrictions.  

In June, Self-Help will host an official ribbon cutting ceremony and open house event for this branch, which will include several family-friendly activities, vendors, food, as well as financial empowerment informational sessions. The event will be open to all Self-Help members and the broader community, so be on the lookout for an announcement!