Tami Germain celebrates 45 years of service at Webster First

Published October 17, 2025 by Angela Talbot | Reading Time: 4 minutes

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• Webster First

We would like to congratulate Tami Germain for achieving an impressive milestone at Webster First Federal Credit Union – 45 years of service!

It’s not often you see a person dedicate their whole career to one company. From our humble beginnings with only one branch, to our now $1.5 billion institution serving over 90,000 members across Massachusetts, Tami has been there for it all and has been an asset to the credit union. We asked her to tell us about her time at Webster First in her own words.

What is your role here, and what are your main responsibilities?

As Vice President of Branch Administration – Worcester Region, I oversee 9 Worcester County branches. Some of my responsibilities include problem solving for employees and members, completing audits, and strategic planning that helps branch goals align with the credit union’s overall vision. I also work on the branch goals program, organize branch managers meetings, and coach team members. I work closely with the managers to help keep the branches running smoothly.

What has been your most rewarding experience at the company so far?

I would have to say working with people is the most rewarding for me. I started out as a teller on the drive up in the Webster Branch. At that time, the Webster Branch was the only branch (and our main office) with about 12 employees. All processes were manual and I worked on completing all of the deposits including payroll for businesses, mail deposits, and pre-authorization payments, among many other things. I would take a weekly trip with the police to make the credit union’s deposit because I was carrying the cash myself. I worked there for about 7 years.

WFFCU merged with the Norton Company Credit Union, and I helped with the transition when we acquired their branch. I then became the assistant manager, then manager of that branch. This branch was great. It was only for Norton Company employees and their families at first. Then it grew and was always busy. It was like a family, and I made so many friends along the way. I worked there for about 7-8 years.

I was then asked to run the Worcester Branch. I took the challenge and it was the busiest branch the credit union has ever seen. At this time, everything was still manual – cashing payroll checks, counting money by hand, running our checks on calculators, even typing the loan notes for members when they were applying. This branch was constantly busy with lines out the door most days. All of the city would use this branch. When I say busy… no one will ever understand how busy it was unless you worked there. But it was a fun being busy. The people were awesome. I made many new friends and acquaintances. The branch would open between 75-125 new member accounts per month. This is not counting the people that were already members who opened second or third accounts and applied for loans. I would have to say, between the Worcester and Norton Branches, this was my favorite time at the credit union. I just love interacting with the members and helping them with their needs or wants.

The Worcester Branch was about an 8 million dollar branch when I started. Another 7 years later, I had turned it into a 45 million dollar branch with the help of my team. Everyone worked very hard each and every day to make this branch succeed, and that it did. It succeeded and we succeeded as a team. When our Auburn location opened, I went there. It was a brand new building with zero assets, and I had to get it going. I worked there for about 7 years and my title was Regional Manager/Auburn Branch Manager. As we acquired more and more branches through mergers and new developments, oversight of all these branches was split between myself and another employee and we developed this new role where I am today: Vice President of Branch Administration.

What’s one thing you love most about being part of this team?

There are a lot of things I love about being part of this team. I’ve loved helping the credit union grow from only one office to 14 branch locations plus our operations center which opened June 22, 2009. I have taken several courses through AIB (American Institute of Banking) and the courses were free to me as a credit union employee as one of our benefits. This was a great way to learn more and work towards certificate programs. I was asked by my CEO at the time, Michael Lussier, to sign up for a year-long banking program through Babson College. This was an amazing opportunity and I found it very rewarding. Honestly, there were and still are so many unique and personal experiences that make me love working here. I could go on and on.

Could you share one if those unique or personal experiences with us?

I think one of the most unique things that happened to me is when I worked at the drive up in Webster. I would get asked out on dates. Haha! I would get a note sent to me either thru the tube system or they would pass it along in the drive up drawer. Over the years, it would happen from time to time. I was flattered. Those were fun times.

Can you share a fun fact, hobby, or something interesting that helps us get to know you better?

I love vacations. Who doesn’t right? I also love to get in my car and get lost for the day. I find a new place to explore and then when its time to go home, I take out my faithful map and find my way back home. Yes, I still use a map! In my spare time, I like to make puzzles, can tomatoes, work in my flower gardens, and just have fun.