Fresno CU honored for serving unbanked area
FRESNO, Calif. (11/20/06)--Fresno County FCU was honored for reaching out to residents of an unbanked neighborhood at the Fresno West Coalition for Economic Development's "Risk Takers, Dream Makers" awards luncheon.
The $430 million asset credit union received an award for installing the west Fresno area's first automated teller machine (ATM) and opening a new branch office there.
In contrast, banks do not offer any branch offices in the west Fresno area, according to Keith Kelley, president of the Fresno West Coalition for Economic Development.
"The banks are coming, but I can tell you right now, the credit union is here," said Doug Papagni, board vice chairman of the Fresno-based credit union (The Fresno Bee Nov. 17).
Alan Fisher, executive director of the California Reinvestment Commission and an advocate for underserved communities, said west Fresno supporters should keep pressuring businesses such as banks to invest in their neighborhood.
Fischer said banks have continued to neglect Fresno's poorest communities even though the city's economy is improving. He pointed out that the city contains 155 check-cashing stores but just 58 bank branches.
As an example of insensitivity to community needs, Fischer said several nationwide banks failed to make any loans to African-American or Latino-owned businesses in the U.S. Small Business Administration district that includes Fresno County.
More CU/System
News Now LiveWire
- Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad credited Dupaco Community CU for its role in helping an Iowa small business grow and create jobs. - 4 hours ago
- Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad visits Dupaco Community CU, notes CU's role in helping small bizzes grow & creating jobs in state. - 5 hours ago
- Gunman killed Friday in shootout w/ police outside PBC CU, West Palm Beach, Fla., I.D.'d as Christopher Brown, 18. No one hurt inside CU. - 5 hours ago
- In Wash Post article on ?end of Fannie and Freddie,? CUNA?s Hampel says CUNA, CUs are working on contingency plans. http://t.co/bzmi57mY - 6 hours ago
- John Bell, an employee of NC Community FCU, has announced his candidacy for the NC House of Representatives. - 3 days ago
- See all our Tweets and sign up; News Now LiveWire on Twitter
