Citibank Vs USAA as employer (San Antonio, Anton: mortgages, layoffs, high school)

[Bo]

Originally Posted by dendox

does anyone know where one could find a list of current openings at Citi? I looked on the citi website for careers, but did not see any listings for San Antonio.

Maybe there aren't any? Citigroup announced 9,000 job cuts on Monday. It wouldn't surprise me if the cuts led to a hiring freeze.

[thebigmammoo]

I worked for Citi for 5 years before coming over to USAA last year and I don't regret the decision I made one bit.

At Citi I started on the phones for consumer accounts, then moved to business account servicing, then became a supervisor (escalation team) in CitiBusiness. I got to travel to the Tucson and Kentucky offices for projects on the company dime and was treated very well. I worked really hard though and before I became a supervisor, the pressure to sell was annoying. I also hated how we never had team meetings because the phones would blow up and they'd shove us back on the phone. I won their yearly CitiStar a couple times and if not for the $500 bonus, I would not have made any bonuses whatsoever in my time there. I left because management opportunites were few and far between and I wanted to move up in the company.

At USAA I work in loan processing and don't have many incoming calls. I make a higher salary than at Citi, my medical benefits are really cheap, and I was able to get a credit card, renters insurance, and auto insurance at a fraction of what I used to pay. The Christmas bonus was a whole week's pay and even though my annual bonus was prorated, I still got $2500. Bottom line, I'm doing way better than I was at Citi.

I think a lot of the people that complain about USAA are either spoiled or never worked anywhere else, to be honest. The vibe was scary when I started with Bob Davis at the helm, but Gen. Robles has been doing really nice things for the employees since he came in. Last week they fed us breakfast, lunch, and snacks at no charge all day and the management seems to keep looking for ways to keep things interesting. Our team meeting a few weeks ago was a 2-hour Guitar Hero tournament...Citi would never do that. I'm also drowning in allt he free t-shirts I've received here.

I'm still no closer to a management position than I was at Citi, but if you're going entry-level..you'll get WAY more out of coming to USAA than Citi. You get 401k matching to 8% that vests in 3 years and the college tuition program is really good. Go to Citi if you don't get hired by USAA.

[boywithstick]

Originally Posted by Drzy

Nope, not in the call center. I've wondered the same thing, because they do have a different environment... for example, they keep track of when you're available for phone calls, whereas I can go for a jog on their campus from 2-3pm and it's perfectly fine.

I think overall, the call center folks do have more they can (rightfully) complain about, but it's definitely not the horror story some make it out to be. It's a great atmosphere regardless of what area you're in.

As someone who does work in the call center area, Policy Service (Auto, Renters, Valuable Personal Property insurance) I can share that it is a very high stress environment . At USAA, Policy Service is at the bottom of the USAA hierarchy and we field calls almost non stop adjusting policies as well as acting like a switchboard when we re route calls to Life, Bank, & Investments.

It's not all negative of course. The perks are numerous: the pay, the bonuses, the paid time off, the amenities, paying for your tuition after a year of being employed there (they will pay for your bachelors, masters or doctorate!) so there are plenty of pros...however...if you can't handle a high stress phone job...at least until you can move into a higher position...(18 months is the norm in Policy Service...and that's expecting to be able to get promoted into a non phone position after those 18 months which doesn't always necessarily happen) then I'd suggest a different place to work or attempting to enter at a higher than entry level position.

I'll hit my 18 month mark in March of 2009. Believe you me, that month can not come quick enough.

[Maury Kay]

Bump

[TXEX06]

If you are on the phone, both are probably equally miserable.

[cashcall]

Is Rackspace hiring in IT? I heard they were better thn those companies

[ashbeeigh]

Originally Posted by cashcall

Is Rackspace hiring in IT? I heard they were better than those companies

Did you check their website? I'm sure that would be a better place than asking us.

[amdavis36]

I used to work for Citi and hated every second of it. Horrible bank and horrible employer. Chase has a huge call center as well on that side of town. I'd try them or USAA.

[angel_twilight]

I was a contractor at USAA for 8 months and it is a good environment. Just the downside is that you dont get the same benefits as permanent employees. Also, because of lack of transportation and not being able to commute with a coworker I had to stop working there. I wouldnt' mind taking a bus but timing it takes from south SA to there is long and cant afford a taxi. Also, they do offer carpool but only for permanent employees NOT contractors.

I just got job offers to work at Citi group as a contractor and its closer to home. But wanted to know if they have rideshares/carpool? Also, is it the same environment as USAA (cafeteria, gyms, etc)?

I dislike call centers as well and worked as USAA mostly on processing payments and updating employee timesheets. Still I dont like sitting all day infront of a computer so I would take breaks n just get up to take a stretch. I guess its only stressful when you work at call centers, or have to meet a certain deadline.

[need4speed2012]

Why move, USAA is giving everyone an 18.7 percent pay raise !!!