Banking on Friendship: Sandy & Bea
For three decades, Sandy Olson has turned everyday banking moments into meaningful, lasting relationships grounded in trust, compassion, and problem-solving.
Affinity Plus Senior Member Consultant Sandy Olson, left, and Affinity Plus member Bea
In the 30 years she’s worked at Affinity Plus, Senior Member Consultant Sandy Olson has yet to meet a problem without hope.
She’s seen people walk in looking scared and defeated over the decades, and each time, she leans into her personal values: Caring and respect.
“I show up to work to help every member,” Sandy said. “It’s an opportunity for me and that member to grow. Working with members directly is a gift, it’s a treat, it’s challenging and it’s fun.”
And problem-solving is a big part of her work.
“There’s always hope,” Sandy said. “There’s always a solution.”
A solution is just what Bea was looking for when she walked into Affinity Plus years ago. She’d moved to Minnesota from Michigan, and she needed help getting a car. Sandy overheard Bea asking questions and offered to help, starting a friendship that would span years.
“Sandy feels like family,” Bea said. “Meeting her the first time was like knowing her for 10,000 years.”
Together, they found a solution for Bea to get an auto loan, without which Bea says she would have been homeless. Later on, Bea’s sister was very sick back home in the Ivory Coast. Bea wanted to take her mom to Africa to be with her sister, but didn’t have the cash.
She went to Sandy, and they found a loan that would work. Bea was able to spend a month with her family.
“Bea is one of the hardest-working people I know,” Sandy said.
Their banking relationship continued as Bea built her life, and now includes a successful statewide transportation business that Bea owns with her sons.
Sandy, of course, helped them name and incorporate their LLC and helps with their business banking needs.
“She loves what she does,” Bea said of her friend. “I feel at home here. Everybody knows everybody here, they just treat you like family. I have never seen this since I’ve been in this country.”
Building relationships with members is an important part of her job, Sandy said, because it can end up lasting a lifetime. What might start as a checking account can turn into adventures, marriages, kids going to college, and many other journeys.
“Relationships are priceless,” she said. “We start somewhere small and we build over time.”
With Bea, a banking relationship turned into a true friendship. Bea said Sandy is a calm, steadfast presence in her life, and knowing Sandy has made her life better.
“She respects me highly,” Bea said. “The first day I saw Sandy, I saw someone who felt vibrant and self-confident. What I have with Sandy here is rare.”