Data analytics for credit unions and banks who mean business

In this edition of “A Day in the Life of a Data Analyst,” we feature Alison Stanback, Business Intelligence Analyst at $8B Space Coast CU, the third largest credit union in Florida. Alison’s straightforward and optimistic approach to data analytics is equally inspiring and hilarious. She had Alicia Disantis, Head of Marketing at Gemineye, in tears. We sat down to talk with Alison about her grassroots journey into data analytics, her daily routines, and her outlook on communicating with business units. Alison’s Unique Perspective on Data Analytics Alicia Disantis: You started out as a teller at a credit union and have a unique “get it done” perspective on analytics. Tell us what inspired this. Alison Stanback: I started on the front line with members, helping them resolve issues, so that’s how my brain is wired. If there’s a problem, my instinct is always, “Okay, how do we fix it and move forward?” When you come straight from a technology background, it’s easy to focus primarily on the tools themselves. Coming from operations, I tend to start with the problem first and then ask what tools or data we can use to support a better outcome. I’m always thinking there’s more we can leverage if we look at the problem from a different angle. Alicia: Your tolerance is set pretty high. Alison: My tolerance is pretty high. I spent years working in high‑volume branch environments with very real, very human situations happening around me every day. That experience teaches you quickly how to stay calm, de‑escalate, and keep things moving without overreacting. So yes, we have NCUA requirements. Yes, there are a lot of data points and controls we have to account for. But I don’t automatically see that as a crisis. I don’t see chaos, I see opportunity. I think that mindset comes from starting in the branch, not in technology. When you’re used to solving problems face‑to‑face, you learn to focus less on panic and more on progress. Alicia: What got you interested in data analytics, and what do you find most rewarding? Alison: When you’re working with members every day, you naturally start thinking beyond the individual interaction and ask, “How many other members are impacted by this?” I was able to take my branch experience and turn those observations into something actionable. Transforming real member issues into reports and insights that could be shared with the right teams to support better decisions. That’s really how I got hooked on data. Data tells the story of what’s happening. It provides clarity, highlights patterns, and helps connect the dots so leaders can see the full picture and make informed decisions. Being able to show how members are being impacted is what I find most rewarding. I jumped at the opportunity to move from the branches into IT and analytics, and I’ve been there ever since. One thing I truly value about Space Coast CU is their commitment to promoting from within and giving employees opportunities to grow. I’ve been an analyst for nine years, and most of my learning has been hands‑on. I learned alongside an experienced analyst, made plenty of mistakes early on, and gradually picked up best practices. Everything from writing cleaner code to designing dashboards that actually support decision‑making. Leadership was incredibly supportive, and I was never left to figure things out entirely on my own. I don’t have a traditional degree, but I became deeply committed to learning. I spent time watching YouTube content like Guys in the Cube, enrolling in Udemy courses, and continuously building my skills. Space Coast even reimbursed many of those courses, which made a huge difference. Once I started learning, I couldn’t stop! That curiosity is what still drives me today. Alicia: When you became a teller, did you have any idea you were going to spend 20 years in credit unions? Alison: I’ve only had three jobs in my entire life. If I find a place I enjoy, I tend to stay. Space Coast has really become a long‑term home for me. When you spend 40 hours a week working with people, they quickly stop being strangers. You build trust, relationships, and a sense of shared purpose and that’s is what has kept me here. Alicia: You had strong support from your organization and I’ve actually found that to be a common trend in folks I’ve interviewed, that they learn in house rather than obtain formal degrees. I’m curious to know if there were any challenges you faced in your career. Alison: One of the biggest challenges I encountered after moving into data was realizing that not everyone speaks the same “data language.” You can walk someone through an entire presentation, get agreement along the way and then hear, “This is great. Can I have it in Excel?” That experience taught me how important it is to focus on how I communicate insights, not just the insights themselves. My background in customer service helped a lot. When people are dealing with sensitive topics like their finances, they may feel overwhelmed, and if they don’t truly understand what’s being presented, they’re unlikely to act on it. I’ve learned to approach data the same way I approach money conversations: keep it clear, relevant, and accessible. If someone doesn’t understand what they’re seeing, they won’t use the dashboard or take action based on it. Dashboards aren’t just about how they look. They are decision tools. If done well, they replace static spreadsheets by helping people understand why something is happening, not just what happened. A Typical Day for a Business Intelligence Analyst Alicia: Tell me a little bit about your day. What’s the structure of your department and your day-to-day inner workings? Alison: First thing in the morning, I review any incoming tickets to make sure they’re clear and well‑defined. I take time to flesh out the request so what’s documented reflects what the business is actually asking for. Once that’s done, tickets are assigned to the data team and we talk ...