Discrimination Suits Plague Credit Union

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In the 21st century, it may be very difficult for most to believe that a credit union CEO would discriminate against an executive simply because of his religion. Yet that is what allegedly happened to Toby Hayes while he was working as vice president of marketing under SAFE Federal Credit Union President/CEO Darrell Merkel. Merkel has unequivocally denied Hayes’ religious discrimination allegations.

Hayes, a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints who is suing Merkel and the $1.1 billion Sumter, S.C.-based credit union, said he ultimately wants the credit union to change and treat people better. SAFE is also fighting a disability discrimination case in federal court filed by its longtime former President/CEO Beverly Gagne. Under her 16-year CEO tenure, the credit union grew from $336 million in 2001 to $1 billion in assets in 2016. What’s more, SAFE spent two years fighting a racial discrimination lawsuit filed by former branch manager, Terrie Dawson Durant. That case was dismissed in March 2015 on summary judgement in favor of the credit union.