BayPort Credit Union Welcomes New Executive Leadership with Promotion and Appointment

BayPort Credit Union Welcomes New Leadership

In a recent announcement, BayPort Credit Union has made significant updates to its executive leadership team, promoting Craig Zuidema and appointing Biren Sasmal. These changes, effective immediately, reflect the organization’s commitment to enhance its service offerings and meet the evolving needs of its members.

Craig Zuidema's Promotion

Craig Zuidema, previously the Vice President of Consumer Lending, has been promoted to Chief Lending Officer. With over a decade of experience at BayPort, Zuidema has been a pivotal force in driving growth within the lending operations of the credit union. His extensive background of more than 32 years in the credit union industry encompasses roles in consumer lending, sales, and account management. Prior to his tenure at BayPort, he served as Vice President of Lending for ABNB Federal Credit Union and held a position as Account Vice President at CUNA Mutual Group. Zuidema holds both a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and a Master of Business Administration from Old Dominion University and is a Certified Credit Union Executive.

As Chief Lending Officer, Zuidema's responsibilities will extend to overseeing the credit union's collections, consumer, business, and mortgage lending operations. His leadership and expertise will be crucial as BayPort continues to adapt to market changes and member needs.

Biren Sasmal Joins as Vice President

Biren Sasmal has joined BayPort as the new Vice President of Payments and Deposit Solutions. In this role, he will be instrumental in developing and executing the strategic initiatives related to payment systems and deposit operations. Sasmal's strong background includes over 25 years of experience focused on operational efficiency, regulatory compliance, and risk management in complex financial environments. Prior to joining BayPort, he held the position of Senior Vice President at Citibank. Sasmal has a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science from Indian State University and has completed an Executive Leadership Program at Stanford University, showcasing his commitment to professional development.

Looking Forward

Both appointments underscore the core values of BayPort Credit Union, emphasizing growth, security, and responsiveness to member needs. As values-driven institutions, these changes are anticipated to enhance the overall member experience, offering more secure and innovative financial solutions.

Jim Mears, President and Chief Executive Officer of BayPort, expressed enthusiasm about the new appointments, stating, "Craig has been an instrumental part of our lending operations and has helped drive growth across our business for more than a decade. Additionally, we are thrilled to welcome Biren to our team. We are confident his expertise will help us deliver secure, future-ready financial solutions to meet the evolving needs of our members and community."

Founded in 1928 by a group of shipyard workers, BayPort Credit Union has grown into a robust institution that manages approximately $2.6 billion in assets and serves over 154,000 individuals and businesses across 29 branch locations. Recognized with a Superior 5-Star rating by Bauer Financial, BayPort continues to be dedicated to its foundational purpose—providing a trusted space for lending and deposits, meeting the financial needs of its community effectively and efficiently.

The organization’s board and team members look forward to the contributions that Zuidema and Sasmal will bring, driving the credit union towards growth and innovation in the competitive financial services landscape.