In 2015 after Chris Mbalazamo arrived in Maine from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, he opened an account at cPort Credit Union.
He’s now a teller at cPort’s Riverside branch Portland, after graduating from the 12-week New Mainer Teller Training Program. It was launched in 2020 by Portland Adult Education in partnership with six financial institutions, including cPort.
“When I was growing up, my dream job was to be working at a bank,” Mbalazamo says. Hired as a teller last June, the Southern Maine Community College business administration graduate aims to further his education and become an accountant one day.
“I’m going after my goals and I keep making my mom proud,” he says.
Vienna Dunn, a single mother from China who went through the same training program, was hired in March as a full-time teller at Bath Savings Bank in Yarmouth.
The former waitress finds her new job much more fulfilling.
“My friends always think when you become a bank teller you have to go to college and get a degree,” she says. “I say ‘No, you just need to be honest and patient and just want to work hard, and you’ll get a job.’”
The 2021 class began in an online format this past January, funded with $25,000 from eight financial institutions, who also provide teaching support.
“It’s a fabulous program, and we’ll do whatever is needed,” says cPort President and CEO Gene Ardito.