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First Alliance Credit Union welcomes two new executive leaders

ROCHESTER, MN (October 31, 2024) — First Alliance Credit Union, a full-service financial institution dedicated to serving South East Minnesota, is excited to announce the addition of Cesar Cortez and Kristina Kovacevic to its executive leadership team. With their exceptional expertise and commitment to the credit union industry, both Cesar and Kristina are poised to bring innovative strategies and strong leadership to the credit union.

Cesar Cortez joins First Alliance Credit Union as the AVP of Risk Management. With over 18 years of experience in the financial industry, Cesar has extensive background in fraud prevention, Enterprise Risk Management, and Bank Secrecy Act compliance. Throughout his experience, Cesar has implemented advanced risk control measures, significantly enhancing organizational resilience. His strategic oversight in vendor management, business continuity, and cybersecurity will be invaluable as he oversees First Alliance’s risk management framework. He holds Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialist (CAMS) and Certified Risk Manager (NCRM) certifications, underscoring his dedication to safeguarding the financial sector. Cesar earned dual Bachelor of Arts degrees in History and Chicano/Latino Studies from California State University, Long Beach.

Cesar shared “I am thrilled to join First Alliance Credit Union team! The credit union’s dedication to serving its members and community align with my personal interest and values. Not only do I join an excellent team, but I do it while enjoying my career passion and that’s Risk Management.”

Kristina Kovacevic has been appointed as the AVP of Retail Experience. Kristina comes to First Alliance Credit Union with a strong background in branch management and customer service excellence, having most recently served as Branch Manager for seven years at Altra Federal Credit Union.

Her leadership in strategic planning and branch performance optimization has been recognized throughout the industry. Kristina’s ability to align branch objectives with corporate goals while maintaining exceptional service standards will be a key asset in her new role. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration and Human Resource Management from Winona State University and has been featured in numerous local publications for her contributions to our local community.

Kristina stated, “I am thrilled to join First Alliance Credit Union and look forward to fostering great relationships with both my team and community members. At First Alliance, we are committed to providing the best products and services tailored to the needs of our members in the communities we serve. Together, we will strive to make a positive impact and support our members’ financial well-being.”

With these new appointments, First Alliance Credit Union continues to strengthen its leadership team, reinforcing its commitment to providing outstanding financial services and support to its members. Cesar and Kristina’s expertise and passion for community-focused banking will undoubtedly help guide First Alliance Credit Union toward a successful and secure future.

About First Alliance Credit Union

First Alliance Credit Union is the original credit union in Rochester, Minnesota, founded in 1932 by Rochester firefighters and a school teacher. Membership is open to everyone who lives, works, worships, owns a business or attends school in Olmsted, Winona, Wabasha, Dodge and Goodhue counties.