Vacaville, CA – Travis Credit Union (TCU) recently launched a series of Financial Inclusion Forums in Solano, Contra Costa and Yolo counties. The forum's long-term goals are to connect with community leaders and partners whose goals align with TCU’s goal of creating an inclusive and judgment-free environment for the underbanked to develop and build wealth. These efforts will involve a comprehensive study of community needs, partnership collaboration, and expanded language options for financial education.
“Economic development, technological advancements, and demographic shifts provide us with a once-in-a-lifetime chance to provide quality, inexpensive financial services to the underbanked members of our community,” said Nav Khanna, TCU's Executive Vice President. “This aim is clear and attainable if the public and private sectors work together and coordinate our efforts.”
This diverse coalition has attracted local leaders from commerce, education, government and the nonprofit community to chart a course to make full financial inclusion a reality. TCU recognizes that many people in our local community face difficulties that prohibit them from fully participating in political, economic and social life. The disadvantage is frequently based on social identity, which can include, among other things, gender, age, location, employment, color, ethnicity, religion, citizenship status, disability, sexual orientation and gender identity.
Lisette Estrella-Henderson, Solano Superintendent of Schools, said financial literacy and inclusion are fundamental components to building equitable communities and lifelong success. “Solano County Office of Education is excited to be invited to the forum and partner with Travis Credit Union in their efforts to expand community access to sound financial information and products,” she said. “We look forward to amplifying their outreach and will continue to partner together to reach young people in Solano County.”
Tamuri LeAnne Richardson, President of Solano County Black Chamber of Commerce, said she loves how Travis is not only interested in ensuring that they are doing their part to impact the community, they are willing to have the tough conversations to be able to ensure they are sufficiently impacting all communities, and particularly the disenfranchised communities.
“Because of a long history of financial and lending discrimination against many people, especially people of color, we must promote financial education throughout our schools and community at large,” Richardson said. “We are going to support and work with Travis and encourage our community of all races, but particularly Black and Hispanic people to take a leap of faith and be a part of the change that they want to see.”
For years Travis Credit Union's focus has been on helping the underserved and creating new pathways for them to achieve financial stability and wellness. In July 2021, TCU was recognized as one of the top philanthropic companies in the Bay Area for implementing multiple financial relief initiatives for members and distributing more than $3 million to 120 community and non-profit partners providing essential services and PPE equipment during this pandemic.
As a Community Development Financial Institution, Travis Credit Union uses its collective resources to support those we serve to become self-sufficient and to prosper, including those in our community with limited access to safe and secure financial services. In its role as a low-income designation (LID) credit union, TCU offers benefits unavailable to non-LID credit unions. These benefits are designed to help the credit unions serve members recognized to have challenges accessing mainstream financial products and services.
In recognition of its commitment to serving and empowering Hispanic and immigrant members, Travis Credit Union has been honored with the Juntos Avanzamos (Together We Advance) designation.
Headquartered in Vacaville, California, Travis Credit Union is a not-for-profit cooperative financial institution serving those who live or work in Solano, Yolo, Sacramento, Placer, San Joaquin, Stanislaus, Napa, Contra Costa, Alameda, Sonoma, Colusa, and Merced Counties. Currently, Travis Credit Union is the twelfth largest credit union in California with more than 217,000 members and more than $4.7 billion in assets. As a Community Development Financial Institution, we use our collective resources to support those we serve to become self-sufficient and to prosper, including those in our community with limited access to safe and secure financial services. As one of the premier financial institutions in Solano, Contra Costa, Yolo, and Merced Counties, Travis Credit Union’s strength lies in its faithful commitment to its members, its solid, secure history, and its long-standing track record of dedicated service.