Paul Grinde
Community Development Officer, CoVantage Credit Union
Paul Grinde is a proven team leader with a special passion of providing financial services for those of low wealth and the unbanked. He recognizes that to accomplish that in the long run the entire organization must be financially strong and efficient. Starting in 1996 through 2012 as Executive Vice President, Paul was responsible for all retail functions of CoVantage Credit Union, which grew rapidly to $1 Billion. Implementation of work flows, efficient procedures, strong controls, and an attitude of treating the members in a friendly and fair manner delivered results. CoVantage has lower loan losses, cost of operations, and fees while maintaining a strong profit margin after returning $1.5 million in interest rebate and savings bonus annually. His prior banking experience as a community banker and a commercial lender and head of retail operations as part of a large commercial bank gave him the foundation to work successfully with a strong team. Paul’s duties are now devoted to Community Development managing Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) and Low income programs of the credit union. He is responsible for obtaining and maintaining certification, identification of grant or partnership opportunities, grant applications, execution of the approved programs, and grant reporting. Paul recognizes that for the credit union to reach its full potential it is important to be connected with other Credit Union Leaders throughout the state and nation. Many of the programs implemented at the credit union are the result of collaboration with his friends in credit unions, Cuna and Inclusiv. A presenter at State and National Conventions and on an FDIC committee on economic inclusion allows Paul to interact with many of his peers. He is on the Board of Directors of the Inclusiv. Locally he is the President of Habitat for Humanity of Langlade County and a member of the Antigo Optimist Club. In Athens, he organized an investment group in a matter of days to buy property that could be developed into the city’s industrial park.
Paul is a Graduate of University of Wisconsin – Platteville, WBA Commercial Lending School, Prochnow Graduate School of Banking, and the Dale Carnegie Course.
Paul and his Wife Marlene reside in Antigo, Wisconsin.