Guardians Credit Union appoints Michele S. Nichols as new Chief Lending Officer
WEST PALM BEACH, FL (November 8, 2024) — Guardians Credit Union, a full-service financial institution, is proud to announce that Michele S. Nichols has joined the organization as Chief Lending Officer. Michele brings over 25 years of executive lending experience across credit unions ranging from $345 million to $4.8 billion in assets, with extensive expertise in strategic planning, regulatory compliance, risk management, and product development. Her addition to the Guardians One Family of Credit Unions team marks a significant step forward in enhancing lending services and supporting members’ financial well-being.
For the past decade, Michele has led mortgage lending, consumer lending, business lending, and collections, demonstrating a consistent record of operational excellence and innovation. She has managed large, cross-functional teams and implemented key initiatives to optimize processes, reduce risk, and boost member satisfaction. Michele’s commitment to member-centric lending and results driven leadership made her the unanimous selection of the executive team.
“Michele’s depth of experience and her commitment to helping our members and employees succeed make her a perfect fit for our leadership team,” said Steve Bosack, President & CEO. “Her focus on innovative lending solutions and efficient service delivery aligns with our mission to provide quality financial services to everyday heroes in our communities. We are excited to work with her as we expand lending opportunities for consumers and businesses.”
Michele is also recognized as a Certified Credit Union Executive Resource Management Expert (CUERME), Credit Union Business Lending Professional (CUBLP), and Certified Credit Union Financial Counselor (CC UF). Her achievements include reducing QC error rates, shrinking loan closing times, and
maintaining high audit compliance standards, all while strengthening member engagement and satisfaction scores.
“We are thrilled to welcome Michele to the leadership team,” commented Deanna Frame, Executive Vice President. “Her vision and experience in lending are a tremendous asset to our members and staff alike. Michele’s leadership will be pivotal as we continue to expand our lending products and ensure exceptional service to our community’s everyday heroes.”
Michele holds a BA in Business Administration from Saint Leo University, graduating magna cum laude, and is NMLS licensed. Her innovative approach and member-focused mindset align seamlessly with the Guardians One Family of Credit Unions’ values and dedication to supporting the financial needs of its members.
About Guardians Credit Union
Guardians Credit Union is a full-service financial institution headquartered in West Palm Beach. Organized in 1953, it operates as a not-for-profit cooperative that encourages thrift by providing loans at fair and reasonable rates, paying competitive dividends on savings products and implementing fewer service fees for overall account maintenance. It is owned and operated by its members, with a board of directors and other volunteer committees chosen and staffed by members.
For more information about Guardians Credit Union and the Guardians One Family of Credit Unions, contact Patrick Shandorf at 561-686-4006 ext. 1143 or (561) 351-0143 (cell), or patrickshandorf@guardianscu.coop.
