When someone says they like to work with people, you might imagine they would become a nurse, librarian or teacher. But for Thomas Hankard, a career in the financial industry has given him the best opportunity to share his penchant for helping people.
A graduate of Malden Catholic High School, Hankard maintains his connection with the school as a member of the alumni association board. He also attended Merrimack College, where he received a bachelor’s degree summa cum laude in political science in 2005, and he’s currently on track to earn an MBA from New England College of Business.
His interest in banking began while he was still a student at Merrimack. Hankard worked at Salem Five Bank and during the seven years he spent there, worked his way up from part-time teller to business development specialist. He also won several awards, including Sales Banker of the Year, Service Branch of the Year and back-to-back Sales Branch of the Year at two different branches. Notably, that last award came when Hankard was assigned to a branch destined to close. Due to his deft management, the branch flourished, earning him the recognition.
Hankard moved on to a different credit union before joining Webster First, where he once again used his managerial skills to make a difference.
“I successfully created an institutional sales culture and exponentially grew the loan and deposit portfolio of that office,” he said. “I jumped at the chance to move upward to Webster First. I had been watching the expansion of Webster First in Eastern Massachusetts and I knew I wanted to be a part that growing organization.”
In 2012, Hankard joined Webster First Federal Credit Union, where he serves as consumer loan officer, mortgage loan originator, business development officer and branch manager at its highest-volume Boston-area office in Winthrop. Coincidentally, he began his current position immediately after Webster First’s merger with Winthrop Federal Credit Union, a somewhat chaotic time.
“No one likes change, and I worked with members and workers and became a grounding force,” he said. “I was able to successfully integrate the pre-merger and post-merger employees, grow the branch deposit and loan portfolio and entrench the credit union in the greater Winthrop community.”
Hankard’s natural proclivity toward helping people extends far beyond the walls of the credit union. His community service record speaks to his dedication to others. He is a past member of the Education and Curriculum Subcommittee at Bishop Fenwick High School; executive committee member of the Peabody Education Foundation; and a member of the Government Affairs Subcommittee at the Peabody Area Chamber of Commerce.
Additionally, Hankard is the immediate past president of the East Boston-Revere Rotary Club and the youngest president ever elected to lead the organization. As a member of the District Grants Committee, he is responsible for distributing grant funds to community projects in 48 Rotary Clubs across Massachusetts and New Hampshire. Hankard is also involved with the Revere, Winthrop and East Boston chambers of commerce as a member of multiple committees.
“I’m someone who enjoys helping others and I use my position at the credit union to full advantage by becoming involved with the local community,” Hankard noted.
