A Spring Bank Staff Feature
Charitza Colon spent the first three years of her career in early childhood education in the Bronx before making the jump to community banking. Today, she’s a Commercial Loan Servicer with us at Spring Bank, bringing the same focus and detail to our clients’ lending processes that she once brought to her classroom.
Charitza’s Banking Journey
After earning her Associate’s degree, Charitza went on to teach early childhood education at three different schools through the thick of the pandemic, when the demands on teachers were unlike anything the profession had seen. It was challenging, formative work that she looks back on with deep appreciation.
“I have even more respect now for teachers,” she says. “I loved my time teaching, but was ready to turn my desire to serve my community in a different way, and work with adults.”
Despite her love for teaching, Charitza was ready for a new chapter — one where she could continue making a difference in her neighborhood. She wanted to stay connected to the Bronx and to do work that mattered; our commitment to financial inclusion resonated immediately.
We met Charitza through a familiar face: Germarie, our Senior Underwriter. The two went to elementary school together in the South Bronx and are now reconnected as colleagues. Germarie referred Charitza to Elena Gillcrist, our Commercial Loan Servicer, who helped Charitza learn the ins and outs of working at a community bank in New York.
“It was challenging at first, but I had great training. Elena is very thorough and detailed,” Charitza reflects.
Charitza joined our team with no prior banking experience, but plenty of drive and lived experience that connects with our mission. While working full-time at the bank, she also completed her Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from CUNY and graduated Cum Laude! Her long-term goal is to become an underwriter, with a specific focus on supporting Bronx-based small businesses through our Commercial Lending program.
Since starting her career in banking, Charitza has deepened her belief that financial knowledge is one of the most powerful tools a person can have:
“Stay engaged with your finances and the resources available to you. Don’t hesitate to ask questions because the more informed you are about your financial situation, the more confident you can be in making decisions for your future.”
We couldn’t agree more.
Ready to Work with a Bank That’s in Your Corner?
We’re proud to have leaders like Charitza on our team, and proud to serve the community she grew up in. If you’re a small business owner looking for financing options from banks in the Bronx, our Commercial Lending products are a good place to start. We’d love to hear from you!
Get to know other members of the Spring Bank team, like Accountant Jayson, Red Hook Branch Manager ReyJane, and Senior Underwriter Germarie. Learn about our other small business banking offerings, like affordable small business checking accounts, and our mission of financial inclusion.