Matthew Cristoferi joined CUA in 2021. You can find him at the Spryfield Branch, helping members achieve their financial goals.

Where did you grow up, and what brought you to Halifax?
I am originally from the South Shore of Massachusetts, about 30 minutes south of Boston, where I was born and raised. My wife is from Atlantic Canada, and in deciding where we wanted to plant our roots, she sold me on the Maritime way of life. I moved here in 2015 and have never looked back.

Can you highlight your educational background and professional experience?
I attended Bridgewater State University in Massachusetts and received a bachelor’s degree in History and Secondary Education. While I was in my final year of university, I was approached with an opportunity with Bank of America and the rest is history. Since then, I’ve accrued more than six years of financial industry experience in the U.S and Canada.

What drew you to banking?
Banking found me. When I came out of university, the financial industry wasn’t really on my radar – I was looking for was a career where I could make a difference. Once I got into banking, I discovered that this industry is a perfect place to do just that. Working with members every day in helping them achieve their financial goals and better their position in life provides the opportunity to make a difference on a small scale that has a major impact.

Since joining CUA, what other positions have you held?
I originally was brought on as a Financial Advisor, and now I serve as the Branch Manager of our Spryfield Branch.

What does a “regular” workday look like for you?
Every day is a little different. In broad strokes, my day generally consists of reviewing reports about our branch’s performance and opportunities to improve the services we are providing our members, meeting with members to help them in achieving their (always unique and individualized) financial goals, and working with our branch staff through coaching and training to aid in the fulfillment of their personal and professional goals.

What is the best part of your job?
The opportunity to help others. Nothing beats the feeling of helping a member learn about investing to bolster their financial future or playing a role in their first home purchase.

Since being in your role with CUA, what is the most valuable thing you’ve learned?
That everyone has a story, and to truly help someone achieve their goals, you need to understand that story. Starting my career with larger institutions in the financial industry, there is a propensity to simply boil things down to the numbers. In joining CUA, our approach of really looking at the whole picture of who they are and what they want to achieve has been incredibly valuable.

What is one piece of financial advice that you believe everyone should follow?
Have a budget and stick to it as best you can. Budgeting for your everyday life aids in saving towards goals you might have (like purchasing a home), will free up cash flow for investing for your future and helps keep you from relying on revolving credit for your day-to-day needs. Virtually anything you want to achieve financially, a budget will help get you there.

Outside of your professional life, what is your favourite activity or hobby?
I’m usually spending quality time with my wife and five-year-old daughter or hanging out with my friends. My friends and I have weekly board game nights, participate in a book club, and this last summer have gotten passionately into disc golf.

Do you perform volunteer or community work?
I volunteer with the Halifax Northwest Rotary Club and serve on the Spryfield Business Commission’s board of directors. I have also previously served as a volunteer Adult Literacy and GED Instructor for the Halifax Public Library system at the Captain William Spry Branch.

What is your favourite meal to cook at home or order at a restaurant?
My ancestry is predominantly Italian, and I grew up in a home that really honoured Italian culinary tradition in a big way. I’ve carried that with me and it’s not uncommon to find me in the kitchen whipping some flour and egg into a handmade pasta or building a sauce from scratch.