Matthew Soto, Cottonwood Branch Manager
When Matthew became an Sunward member many years ago, he was excited to experience the values and benefits credit union membership could bring to his personal finances. “I’ve been an Sunward member for years and I love it!” he says. His appreciation for credit union membership led Matthew to make financial services, particularly in the credit union industry, his career. “I enjoy the connection between community and responsibility that credit unions bring to the table.”
Matthew brings over 14 years of credit union experience to his new role as our Cottonwood Branch Manager. Originally from Los Lunas, Matthew attended the University of New Mexico and studied criminology and accounting. A few years after graduation, his love for finance took over, and he started working in financial services. Before joining Sunward, he worked at two Albuquerque-area credit unions in both branch management and consumer lending.
For Matthew, it wasn’t enough to just be a member of Sunward – he wanted to work for and with the Credit Union. A graduate of the Credit Union National Association (CUNA) Management School, Matthew has had the opportunity to experience Sunward as both a member and an outsider looking in. “When I attended CUNA Management School, I chose to study Sunward for a large three-year project. I got to know the Credit Union from the other side, not just as a member, and you could say I drank the Kool-Aid. Sunward is a safe credit union with a strong outlook for the future,” he says.
Now, as Branch Manager, Matthew looks forward to creating a cohesive, positive work family with his team. “When everyone working at the branch has a family mentality, it builds a positive experience for both employees and members,” he says, “and I’m a people person. So, this role just fits my personality.” Outside of work, Matthew is an avid fisherman and enjoys traveling throughout New Mexico to his favorite fishing spots. He owns a not-for-profit fishing apparel company that works to provide opportunities for youth to learn the sport of fishing and the values it can teach, including victory, defeat, patience, and planning.
