Brian Wolfburg, a Buffalo, New York, native, became the CEO of VyStar Credit Union in October 2017. Since then, he’s been influential in leading positive changes and expanding operations at the financial institution. He said the credit union has “big plans for 2023” as it strives to “continue to work to be the credit union of the Southeast.”
Over the past 70-plus years, the financial institution has been reaching new heights by boosting the communities it serves. Brian Wolfburg said it accomplishes that by “providing a superior banking experience to more people in more places.”
Wolfburg continued, “Those efforts are the heart of our brand promise: ‘Do Good. Bank Better.’ They would never be possible without [the members’] continued support.”
Jax Navy Federal Credit Union opened at Naval Air Station Jacksonville in Jacksonville, Florida, on April 29, 1952, with just $60. By 1996, it had achieved $1 billion in assets. In 2002 its name was changed to VyStar as it shifted to a state-chartered credit union.
Under Wolfburg’s leadership, the financial institution has grown steadily, enabling it to continue helping members achieve their financial goals. It’s the largest credit union headquartered in northeast Florida and the 13th largest in the United States by asset size. The 69 locations in Florida and Georgia cater to more than 900,000 members nationwide.
“Still, our story is just beginning,” said Wolfburg. “We remain committed to serving the financial needs of our members by providing products and services that are high quality, dependable and trustworthy.”
Brian Wolfburg’s Career Highlights
As a senior executive in the diversified financial services industry, Wolfburg found opportunities and achieved results. He succeeded Terry West upon West’s retirement from the credit union.
“My predecessor and his leadership team [did] an amazing job with the organization, built the connection with the community, and left it in great shape in regard to the products and services and infrastructure and financial safety and soundness,” Wolfburg said. Upon joining the financial institution’s executive board, he recognized opportunities for positive changes and continued growth.
During his first year at the credit union, his accomplishments included “eliminating over half of our service fees to members” and expanding its call center operations. It also grew its ATM network nationwide. Under his guidance, the credit union has grown to include 18 high school branches and a network of over 20,000 surcharge-free ATMs.
Before his current role at VyStar, Wolfburg served as the chief operations officer for Alaska USA Federal Credit Union, headquartered in Anchorage, from 2016 through 2017. Prior to that, he was executive director of retail financial services from 2013 to 2016. He also gained valuable experience working for a few of the biggest international banks in Hong Kong, London, and South Korea.
“I was always very business-minded,” Brian Wolfburg told the Jacksonville Daily Record . He’s continuously looking for ways to get involved and engaged.
To that end, he’s an active member of the board of directors of the National Association of State Credit Union Supervisors advisory board, the Jacksonville branch of the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta, the Credit Union National Association’s world affairs committee, Jacksonville’s Museum of Science & History, the Jacksonville Chamber and JAXUSA Partnership executive committees, the FIS credit union advisory board, and the Jacksonville Country Day School.
Brian Wolfburg earned his MBA from New York University’s Stern School of Business after receiving a Bachelor of Science in business administration from the State University of New York at Buffalo.
Since childhood, he’s demonstrated an entrepreneurial spirit. As an adolescent, he held many jobs, such as delivering local newspapers and selling handmade chocolates during the holidays. “I worked for all my neighbors,” he shared. “I asked some friends to work for me and paid them to do things, so I knew I loved business. There was no question that was what I would pursue.”
The Financial Institution Looks to the Future
Brian Wolfburg said VyStar “promises to continue growing and innovating to prove we are different than other financial institutions.” So whether someone’s looking for a place to begin saving or seeking help financing a home, VyStar is there to help. The credit union strives to empower members with the financial knowledge necessary to set themselves up to achieve their financial and life goals successfully.
In addition, it ranks as a top auto lender in Florida. And members can save over $3,500 off the manufacturer’s suggested retail price when they purchase a car with the credit union’s car-buying service. Another fantastic advantage of being a member of the credit union is the ability to drive now and pay later. It offers a plan that doesn’t require a car payment for 90 days from the closing of the loan. Certain restrictions may apply, and not all loans qualify, so members must check with their local branch.
VyStar also supports communities in Florida and Georgia by donating millions of dollars to hundreds of nonprofit organizations dedicated to bettering the world. In addition, its employees are equally passionate about volunteering to strengthen the foundation of their communities.
The credit union continues supporting past and present military members and their families by offering a variety of exclusive perks and military benefits. As a testament to the financial institution’s longtime commitment to the military, it was recognized in February 2023 as a top 10 military-friendly company by Viqtory, a data-driven military marketing company. Additionally, there are many benefits to joining a financial institution that prioritizes excellent service to its members over creating income for stockholders.
Under Brian Wolfburg’s leadership, the credit union remains committed to helping its members accomplish their financial goals. Becoming a member means access to great rates, low to no fees, early direct deposit, rewards on credit cards, member-centric service, and more.
The credit union aims to do good, and its employees help it live up to that promise. As CEO, Wolfburg will continue to guide the company as it pursues making a positive difference in the communities where its members and employees live, work, and play.
He said the credit union is “working to do better in the future [and] remains grateful for members’ support.”
