Hanscom Federal Credit Union Selects Nicholas Breton as Vice President, Auto Lending
December 2025 – In support of Hanscom Federal Credit Union’s (HFCU) strategic plans to expand and strengthen its auto lending portfolio, the Executive Leadership Team retained Smith & Wilkinson to lead the executive search for a Vice President, Auto Lending.
HFCU appointed Nicholas Breton as Vice President, Auto Lending. In this role, Nicholas partners closely with members of the Executive Leadership Team to execute and advance the strategic objectives of the auto lending program.
Nicholas brings more than 25 years of experience spanning both auto dealership and financial institution lending environments, offering HFCU a rare, end-to-end perspective on the auto lending ecosystem. His career includes a decade with Wells Fargo, where he led their Boston Business Center; nearly four years at Navigant Credit Union overseeing Consumer Lending; one year as Vice President of Indirect Lending at Coastal Credit Union; and more than two years at Scient Federal Credit Union, where he most recently served as Chief Lending Officer.
Widely recognized as a collaborative and people-focused leader, Nicholas is known for his commitment to teamwork and his passion for helping those around him succeed. His depth of experience and leadership style make him exceptionally well suited to lead HFCU’s auto lending strategy during its next phase of growth.
This search engagement was led by Jake Strong, Associate Recruiter and Cameron Boyd, Managing Partner.
About Hanscome Federal Credit Union
Founded in 1953 on Hanscom Air Force Base, HFCU is a member-owned financial institution headquartered in Littleton, Massachusetts. Today, HFCU serves more than 90,000 members and manages nearly $1.9 billion in assets, making it one of the largest credit unions in the Commonwealth. The organization operates with a strong member-first philosophy, guided by core values of integrity, teamwork, innovation, and empathy. HFCU’s mission is to serve as a trusted financial advisor, delivering unbiased guidance and promoting financial wellness through products, services, and education.
About Smith & Wilkinson
For over 25 years, Smith & Wilkinson has been a trusted executive search and talent advisory partner. Our Financial Services team serves banks, credit unions, service providers, associations, nonbank lenders, financial technology companies, community and economic development organizations, and government-sponsored enterprises in attracting, promoting, and retaining senior leaders who drive long-term business success.
Our financial services executive search work includes Board, C-suite, and Director level engagements across executive leadership, strategy, risk, finance, operations, lending, technology, and wealth management, and more. With industry-leading market insight and a consultative approach, we provide both clients and candidates with exceptional visibility into today’s evolving talent landscape.
Looking to fill a leadership role similar to this position? Please contact us to learn more about partnering with Smith & Wilkinson’s Financial Services executive search team to attract, promote, and retain the talent your organization needs to grow and compete.