LinkedIn

DFE Location

Tysons Corner, Virginia

DFE Abstract

Salem Ben Saad spent nine weeks in the summer of 2019 as an intern at Pentagon Federal Credit Union in Tysons Corner, Virginia. PenFed, the second largest credit union in the US, offers market-leading certificates, checking, credit cards, personal loans, mortgages, auto loans, student loans, and a wide range of other financial services with members' interests always in mind. As a lending intern, Salem was tasked with three main projects that required cross-unit analysis and product development. He worked with the automotive lending team to define data elements to support product profitability and used the data to develop a dealer loyalty program that would drive 20% more profit from the selected dealers. He also worked with credit risk and finance units to document process and procedures to support operational changes. This was an exciting and unique opportunity to work directly with a team of finance and analytics professionals. Salem also received ongoing time with a mentor throughout his internship to allow for growth and training, helping him to eventually transition into the workforce. Salem received hands-on experience as a consumer banking analyst as well as a team player through the intern team project which was to redesign PenFed’s student loan refinancing program. Salem’s primary advisor was Dr. Ian Norris and Dr. Peter Hackbert was his secondary advisor.