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Fresno Bee
Robert Rodriguez Mar. 3--Michael Wright pointed across the Kearney Palms Shopping Center parking lot to a check-cashing store and called it his former bank. "I won't have to go there anymore," said Wright during the unveiling of a new Fresno County Federal Credit Union automated teller machine. "Now I can cash my checks and not have to pay a lot of money. I am loving this." The ATM, inside the Food Maxx store, was welcomed by more than 50 people attending Thursday's ceremony.
"This is a new day," said Keith Kelley, president and chief executive officer of the Fresno West Coalition for Economic Development. "This isn't just an ATM machine, this is a new opportunity." Kelley said the coalition has been pushing for years for a bank or credit union in southwest Fresno, an area that until the last several years has seen little commercial or residential development. Although Kelley and neighborhood advocates dream someday of a full-service branch, the ATM provides residents the chance to become credit union members through the West Fresno Association. Association members who live, work or worship within the Fresno Empowerment Zone are eligible to join the credit union. Susan Ryan, the credit union's chief executive officer, welcomed the opportunity to partner with Kelley and the coalition. "The credit union's mission is to provide low-cost services to those who need it the most, and that is what we are doing here," Ryan said.
"We think this is going to be a perfect fit." Ryan said the credit union has many services, including home and auto loans, budget counseling, checking, savings accounts and direct deposit. Its nearest full-service branch is at 1250 Van Ness Ave. in downtown Fresno. The credit union, which has four branches, also will open a branch at Ashlan and Blythe avenues within the next three months. A possible southwest Fresno branch is still "on the table for discussion," Ryan said.
Fresno City Council Member Cynthia Sterling hopes the credit union's presence will begin to change attitudes about southwest Fresno. She said the area has lacked banking services for years. "This is part of bringing the tale of two cities together," Sterling said. "We deserve good housing, shopping and banks, just like everybody else." Angela Davis and her sister, Patricia, agreed.
The two were signing up to become credit union members. "This is an opportunity for something positive in this community," Angela Davis said. "And I am glad it is happening."
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