She was sure they’d say no.
Alese was sure no one would take a chance on her. Someone did.
Alese Burris — Affinity member and owner of Burris Process Serving, Ankeny, Iowa. 2:17 · captions available in the player
Alese’s own loan, refinanced in 2022. Everyone’s situation is different — rates, approvals and terms depend on your circumstances.
“Financially, I was a wreck.”
In her late twenties: credit-card debt nobody had taught her to manage, and a car loan at nearly 19% — “just a bottomless pit.” Then a medical emergency cost her weeks of work, then the job. She donated plasma, went on food stamps, and that October filed for bankruptcy. “I never wanted anyone to see me as someone who needed help.”
She walked in braced to be turned away.
Her stepdad — an Affinity member himself, after 26 years at a big bank that never offered him so much as a credit card — pointed her there. She braced for a restricted “second-chance” account. She got a regular one, card printed on the spot. Later, needing a car and certain she’d be denied, she called Affinity first. They took the lead, came back in single digits, and rolled the upside-down loan into the new car.
I never thought in a million years anyone would do that. And they did.
“I have a lot of wiggle room.”
Alese owns Burris Process Serving and banks her whole life at Affinity. A business loan bought equipment that has grown the business 25–30% since February. She takes time off, plans for her two-year-old, and is saving toward the first home anyone in her immediate family will own. “I don’t go to sleep wondering how I’m going to get gas to get to work.”
When she finally asked, someone took the lead.
Adam Gesell in lending did what her previous lender never would: rolled the upside-down loan in, financed the new car in single digits, and handled it over email and the drive-through. Two days from her first call to an approval.
Sometimes the first step isn’t a loan — it’s a plan.
Dealing with debt that feels impossible?
Free financial coaching with Gage Smith, an Accredited Financial Counselor on staff. No account required, no pressure — just a conversation about where you are and what would actually help. Alese didn’t know this existed. Most members don’t.
- Free
- No account required
- No pressure
Or call Gage direct: 515-777-7824 · gsmith@affinitycuia.org
“The worst they can say is no. Why not just try?”
— Alese
Alese’s experience is her own; individual results, rates, approvals, and terms vary by circumstance and are not guaranteed. Federally insured by NCUA. Equal Housing Opportunity.