LONGVIEW, Texas — To break through the intimidation they may have felt at big-name investment firms, Paula McCauley at East Texas Professional Credit Union, has a four-prong approach.

Financial service representative McCauley said she listens to them explain their money goals, "[lets] them know I'm listening," puts together an allocation model that fits with their situation and educates. The financial adviser has approximately 450 clients with roughly $40 million in assets under management.

"One of the biggest concerns I hear is 'am I going to lose all my money,'" said McCauley, who has been at ETPCU for more than five years. "We tell them credit unions are different than banks. We're much more conservative. They need that reassurance and they want someone to talk to them in everyday English."