Synergent’s mission is to “help credit unions succeed and improve the financial lives of their members.” In our monthly Employee Spotlight series, we feature one of our dedicated staff members to help you get to know the people who are working as an extension of your credit union team.
Sharon Seger
Accuracy, problem-solving, and a willingness to take on new challenges have been constants throughout Sharon Seger’s 20 years with Synergent. As a Senior Check Processing Specialist, Sharon is one of the people behind the scenes helping ensure daily check clearing runs smoothly. She manages and balances a variety of tasks, digs in when something doesn’t look right, and works alongside credit unions to resolve issues. It’s a detail-oriented role that can require a little detective work, and Sharon’s experience and dedication help provide the dependable support credit unions count on.
Supporting Credit Unions Through Check Processing
Much of Sharon’s work follows a daily rhythm, but the specific tasks can vary depending on the needs of the department and the credit unions she supports.
“There are so many different things we do throughout the day,” Sharon said. “Depending on what job I am doing that week, I could be processing and balancing all incoming files from the Fed [Federal Reserve] and other clearinghouses, processing any return items that the credit unions would like returned, handling incoming requests from credit unions to have items deleted or corrected, as well as correcting items that our system may reject.”
That work is often time-sensitive, requiring careful attention to deadlines and quick responses when questions or issues arise. Sharon and the check processing team take that responsibility seriously, working to keep everything moving smoothly and provide credit unions with the timely, dependable support they need. The detailed nature of check processing suits Sharon.
“I love challenges,” Sharon shared. “I love interacting with fellow employees and helping out our credit unions.”
A Career Built on Financial Services Experience
Sharon’s experience in financial services began long before she joined the team. She started her career in a community bank’s bookkeeping department and went on to hold several positions with the company. After 25 years, changes at the bank led Sharon to return to college and eventually to an opportunity where she could put her previous experience to good use.
“In 2006, while still in college, through mutual connections, I heard that there was a position available in check processing here at Synergent,” Sharon recalled. “I worked part time for about eight years, and when the opportunity came to go full time, I took it.”
How Check Processing Has Changed Over the Years
The check processing department Sharon joined in 2006 looked considerably different from the one she works in today. Many of the duties required far more hands-on work, and advances in technology have transformed how much of that work is completed.
“When I first started, I worked nights, and there was a lot of manual processing,” Sharon recalled. “Checks that were deposited at the credit unions were printed as paper versions of the electronic check images, known as Image Replacement Documents (IRDs), and we manually had to break them down and place them in boxes to be sent out to other financial institutions. Due to technology, many things done in the past are now streamlined, making it a lot easier.”
As the processes around her changed, Sharon found plenty to enjoy as her role evolved. Her previous experience made check processing a natural fit, but familiarity with the work was only part of it. The people around her and the opportunity to encounter something different each day have mattered just as much.
“Since I was familiar with the aspects of check processing, this was a good fit for me,” Sharon reflected. “The reason I stayed with my department is I truly like what I do, and because of the people I have worked with and continue to work with who make me come in each day. Each day is different, bringing new challenges, but when I leave for the day, I know that I have done a great job.”
Learning, Problem-Solving, and Sharing Knowledge
Taking on those challenges has given Sharon opportunities to learn, adapt, and contribute as technology has evolved. Her involvement in projects that required problem-solving and teamwork has been especially rewarding, giving her the opportunity to see that work come together. Experiences like these have reinforced the importance of continuing to learn and sharing that knowledge with others.
“I’ve been involved in several projects, including a major check processing conversion that came with many challenges, but seeing it finally come together was rewarding,” Sharon said. “Over the years, I’ve gained the wisdom to learn as much as possible and share my knowledge of check processing with others.”
That same sense of responsibility shapes how Sharon looks at her career as a whole. Rather than pointing to one project, promotion, or milestone as the highlight, she finds satisfaction in something much more consistent: knowing she has given her best to the people she works with and the credit unions she supports.
“Knowing that I have done my best for my team and the credit unions each day,” Sharon shared, “is what matters most.”
Outside of work, Sharon makes time for the people and places she enjoys most, with an upcoming trip giving her something special to look forward to.
“On my off time, I enjoy spending time with family and friends. I love going to the beach, which is my happy place,” Sharon remarked. “I love to read, go shopping, or just hang out and catch up. I also enjoy traveling. My niece and her family are living in Texas for now, and I love to visit them. Next year in May, I am traveling to Ireland, which is one of the places on my bucket list.”
With Sharon approaching retirement, she can reflect on a career shaped by significant changes in both check processing and Synergent. She has continued to learn, solve problems, and share her knowledge along the way, all while adapting to advances in technology. Yet when she looks back on her time with the organization, it is the people who shared the journey with her who stand out most.
“As my time here at Synergent is coming to an end, I want to thank everyone that I have worked with in my 20 years at Synergent,” Sharon expressed. “There have been so many changes over the years, and it has been rewarding to see us grow as a company.”
