"Our members are like our friends and family. We go visit them and we create real relationships."

The town of Wainwright is the kind of place where community isn't just a buzzword — it's a way of life. Neighbours are more than faces you pass on the street; they’re friends who come together in tough times and celebrate the good ones. Whether it's the Stampede in the summer or the comfort of safety when it’s time for back to school, the town offers a peaceful and family-friendly atmosphere year-round.

These same qualities are what kept Vision Credit Union Senior Loans Officer Chelsea Baynham rooted in her hometown, building a life and career right where she started, despite once envisioning a future in a bigger city.

We spoke with Chelsea to learn more about her love for the community she was born and raised in and why she’s proud to raise her family in Wainwright, too.

My boyfriend and I have three kids and two fur-babies (dogs), and as a family, we love to travel. We spend a lot of time in the mountains, camping in the summer and sledding in the winter. I’m a small-town girl and not a big fan of the city. I definitely like rural Alberta.

I was a stay-at-home mom when my kids were growing up, and I kind of had odd jobs here and there during that time. I never thought I would be in the banking industry. I didn't think that would be my cup of tea. But about four years ago, I saw an open application, took a chance, and I have loved it since. 

I’ve been with Vision for about four years now. My current role is Senior Loans Officer. I just started in the commercial and agriculture area a couple of months ago, so I'm learning some new processes. Before that, I was working primarily with consumer loans. So far, I’ve enjoyed taking on more of the business and the agriculture side of things.

I love the people that I work with. I love the atmosphere and getting to know more of the community, and I love how we are out in the community more than any of the other businesses I've worked at. I like the fact that it's very local.

I also enjoy learning about our members, learning their stories and our ability to treat them as a person rather than a number... They're like our friends and family, and a lot of them are acquaintances throughout the town. We get out there, we go visit them, and we create real relationships.

I like that whenever there's a tough situation in town, we all come together for backup, and we're supportive of one another. Everybody kind of knows everybody, and we have each other's backs. I also like that it's not as fast-paced as the city, and you can walk your dog down the street and not have to be scared of anything. 

My favourite thing about Wainwright, though, is that my kids can grow up here and feel comfortable. My kids get the chance at some one-on-one guidance in school and the local sports programs because it is a smaller town. I find it's very family-oriented in Wainwright and that’s been great for us.