Below is a testimony of an associate who worked in a Single Leader Financial Center as a new associate. Like all Single Leader Financial Centers, all associates (junior sales associates only) are expected to hit their sales goals but are forced to help run and manage the Financial Center (in the majority of the cases they were very new to the workforce in general) and consistently train new employees which in turn takes time away from hitting sales goals.

The Single Leader Financial Center Manager and the team at this specific Financial Center were associates I had to consistently argue against writing them up for performance, as I was being pushed to write the Single Leader Financial Center Manager up and ultimately terminate them. I believed that this Single Leader model, and specifically this Financial Center team, was at an incredible disadvantage for the amount of turnover they had due to the Single Leader model flaws and expectations of the associates.

You can read another letter to the CEO regarding the Single Leader Financial Experience in “The Culture” within the Blog section.

Subject: THANK YOU!

“Hello Heather!
I really hope you’re doing well and that you’re much happier now that you’ve gotten out of the company. As much of a mess as it is, I’m in a sweet spot (being out of the office currently). It’s hard to not be there but it’s been a vacation I had no idea I needed. If you want to put any of this on the site go ahead, but I ask that you obviously conceal names and locations, mine included. That fear of retaliation is strong and nasty even without (the former Regional Executive, who stepped down at the beginning of 2020). I’m sure you understand.

I wanted to share with you some things that I had never spoken on when we were working together because I was afraid to ever speak up to anyone. But you are 100% correct that the treatment at the company is absurd. I remember finding out early on that something wasn’t right, I had been out of training for only two months when (the Regional Executive) became our regional exec. I recall the horror story about his Cedar Hills visit from (my Financial Center Manager at the time at a Financial Center in Portland, Or), him showing me a photo of (the Regional Executive), and telling me to grab him immediately if I saw him enter our center. As you know I was underperforming (still straight out of training), I was barely learning the business at all, and I was terrified. My wake up call started around November/December of 2018 and it became clear then that the company cares more for numbers than it does for its people. The moves I made for my career then with your help are some of the best I think I ever did and I thank you for your help.

(Portland Single Leader Financial Center) was absolutely the worst work experience I have ever endured. I loved my ever changing team, and none of the blame was on them, but I joke now in my new role that I learned everything and more from that experience. Not only was I forced into shouldering significantly more responsibility than my role at the time should, I was at the top of my performance consistently. Regardless, I felt disregarded, put down, and like no matter what I or my team did, we were never enough. It was absolutely exhausting.

I had anxiety attacks, panic attacks, and joked to (the Single Leader Financial Center Manager) that I was just gonna put a note and my keys in the night drop. The way I felt during that time was something I hope I never feel again. I think it built me to be one hell of a leader but it’s not a way anyone should ever learn.

After (associate) got let go, and then you so shortly after, I was incredibly concerned for my job safety. I thought for sure I would be let go, somehow someway.

I called my closest friend after work the day we heard and cried out of fear for what my future at the company looked like. You two were my biggest advocates in my growth and it felt like a punch to the stomach to lose both of you at essentially the same time.

Anyways, they’ve continued to shove new managers into Single Leader Centers when they shouldn’t be. When (the Financial Center Manager left), they put (a new Financial Center Manger new to banking) at (this Single Leader Financial Center(, and it was quite frankly a nightmare. Not only was I yet again dealing with new staff, someone who made consistent operational errors, and my own goals, I was quite literally acting as the manager of that branch. Every single one of my lunches got interrupted. I dealt with the overrides, all operations, and the angry customers while the real manager stood back and watched. Half days were useless as I got called every time I took one. I expressed these concerns not only to Human Resourced but also to upper leadership and it did nothing. I felt used, looked down upon, and was looking for a move out of that center as soon as possible.

As for now I’ve been considering for quite some time what my next move will be. I have a hard time giving my all, or wanting to, for a company who is so disrespectful to their employees. The benefits and the pay make it hard to go, it feels like a trap. Just know the culture hasn’t changed. It is turning into a Wells Fargo feel. They just haven’t given us the opportunity to succeed. The expectations and goals are unfair and impossible, often times.

What you’re doing is bold, brave, and speaks volumes on your character. This is again a shining example of what a leader you were and continue to be. I hope something changes.

I thank you for also taking the time to read this novel. :)

We miss you!”

(Identity withheld for protection, as well as any comments that would reveal this associate or other associates mentioned)