Metro Credit Union

CHELSEA, MA – April 29, 2024 – Metro Credit Union, the largest state-chartered credit union in Massachusetts, today announced the following officer appointments: Yamil Baez, AVP Regional Branch Manager; Steve Johnson, AVP Regional Branch Manager; Tara Cassese, AVP Financial Crimes; and Wafaa Lahmeur, AVP Branch Manager. In addition, Karen Berrio has been named Branch Manager at the credit union’s Peabody Main St. location and Alexandra Gilberg has been named Branch Manager at its Peabody Andover St. branch. Metro has also elevated nine employees to management roles.

“We’re thrilled to recognize our employees and their work in building relationships as we further our mission to guide members to being more informed and confident in their financial decisions,” said Robert Cashman, President and CEO of Metro Credit Union. “They each bring many years of financial services and leadership experience to Metro, and we look forward to their continued success.”

Officers

Yamil Baez has joined Metro Credit Union as AVP Regional Branch Manager. Previously, Baez served as Branch Manager at Seaside Bank and Trust and held positions at Wells Fargo and American Momentum Bank. In his new role, Baez will oversee branch operations and service initiatives of Metro branches in Boston, Chelsea, Dorchester, Framingham, Melrose, Newton, and West Roxbury.

Steve Johnson has been promoted to AVP Regional Branch Manager. Johnson’s career at Metro spans 21 years, during which he has held several leadership roles within the organization, including most recently serving as AVP Branch Manager in Lynn. As Regional Branch Manager he oversees branch operations, sales, and service initiatives of Metro branches in his area including Burlington, Lawrence, Lynn, Medford, Peabody, Reading, Salem, and Tewksbury.

Tara Cassese has been promoted to AVP Financial Crimes. Cassese joined Metro in 2016 as part of its Member Service Center and later transitioned to Risk & Compliance, overseeing Bank Secrecy Act (BSA)/Anti Money Laundering (AML) compliance. She serves as the credit union’s BSA Officer. Newly added to her department are Metro’s functions around fraud response. As AVP Financial Crimes, she oversees both groups and reports to Metro’s Chief Operating Officer.

Wafaa Lahmeur has been promoted to AVP Branch Manager at Metro’s Chelsea Main branch located at its corporate offices. Lahmeur joined Metro in 2011 as a teller and earned several promotions before her appointment as Branch Manager in 2018. Under her leadership, the Chelsea Main branch has been a consistent top performer in transaction volume and sales.

Branch Managers

Karen Berrio has been named Branch Manager for Metro’s Peabody Main St. location. She joined Metro in October 2021 as Assistant Branch Manager in the credit union’s Lynn branch. Previously she held positions at Citizens Bank and Santander.

Alexandra Gilberg has been promoted to Branch Manager at Metro’s Peabody Andover St. branch. Gilberg joined Metro in 2021 as Assistant Branch Manager in the same location and brings nearly 15 years of experience in financial services.

Berrio and Gilberg are responsible for managing daily operations at their respective branches, supervising, coaching, and assisting with staff development, determining individual and team sales goals, and working directly with Metro members to provide financial guidance and education.

Manager Promotions

Christina Barbosa – Manager Recovery

Michelle Blanchet – Manager Loan Servicing

Zach Fink – Assistant Branch Manager, Commonwealth Avenue Branch

Allison Hilliard – Assistant Manager Marketing

Kara Mancini – Learning & Development Operations Manager

Raymond Quigley – Manager Mortgage Underwriting

Joseph Raduazzo – Manager Mortgage Processing

Jaime Ramirez – Benefits Manager

Matthew Zani – Manager Collections

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About Metro Credit Union

Metro Credit Union is the largest state-chartered credit union in Massachusetts, with $3.4 billion in assets. Metro provides a full range of financial products to close to 200,000 members in Barnstable, Bristol, Essex, Franklin, Hampden, Hampshire, Middlesex, Norfolk, Plymouth, Suffolk, and Worcester counties in Massachusetts, and Cheshire, Hillsborough, and Rockingham counties in New Hampshire. Metro is the credit union of choice for employees at over 1,200 companies through its Metro@work program.

Founded in 1926, Metro currently operates branch offices in Boston, Burlington, Chelsea, Dorchester, Framingham, Lawrence, Lynn, Medford, Melrose, Newton, Peabody, Reading, Salem, Tewksbury, and West Roxbury. Metro is also a Juntos Avanzamos (“Together We Advance”) designated credit union, an honor given to financial institutions for their commitment to serving and empowering Hispanic and immigrant consumers. Metro was recently named among the most charitable companies in Massachusetts by the Boston Business Journal. Learn more at MetroCU.org.