A year after merger, Infinity Credit Union's former CEO takes out-of-state job

File Photo / Tim Greenway Elizabeth Hayes, shown in a file photo, headed what was then called Infinity Federal Credit Union for seven years. It was acquired in 2021.

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By William Hall

Elizabeth Hayes, the former president and CEO of Westbrook-based Infinity Federal Credit Union who led it through an aborted merger and then a successful one, has taken a new job in Massachusetts.

Hayes has joined Workers Credit Union, of Littleton, Mass., as executive vice president and chief member experience officer, according to a news release this week.

In her new role, which began July 25, she is responsible for leading all member-facing areas, including the branch teams, marketing, wealth management and the credit union’s Learning and Development group.

Workers Credit Union serves 110,000 low- and moderate-income members in central Massachusetts. The state-chartered financial cooperative operates 16 branches and has $2 billion in assets.

Hayes, a 2017 Mainebiz Woman to Watch honoree, joined Infinity in September 2014. During her tenure, the credit union added members as well as its fifth branch, in Scarborough. In August 2019, Infinity announced plans to merge with Vibrant Credit Union, of Moline, Ill. A month later, Infinity nixed the deal.

In October 2020, Infinity announced it would merge with Deere Employees Credit Union — also based in Moline, a city of 44,000 about 160 miles west of Chicago. That deal was inked in May 2021.

The Deere president and CEO, Kurt Lewin, retained control over the merged organization, while Hayes was named Maine market president. Infinity held onto its name and operations, and Hayes continued in her role there until February, according to her LinkedIn profile.

At the time of the merger, Deere had $1.2 billion in assets and 42,000 members. Infinity had assets of $338 million, 19,000 members and 78 employees, and ranked No. 8 among the largest Maine credit unions.

Prior to her role at Infinity, Hayes worked for Affinity Plus Federal Credit Union in Minnesota, where she held positions including executive vice president, chief administrative officer, senior vice president and chief relationship officer.

“I am inspired by the opportunity to work with the team at Workers Credit Union to further their important mission of promoting financial wellness for their members,” Hayes said of her new employer.

Workers Credit Union President and CEO Doug Petersen added, “Liz’s talent and experience is a perfect fit for Workers Credit Union. Our members and staff will benefit from her strategic vision, integrity, and commitment to further enhancing WCU’s industry-leading member experience.”