Seattle Credit Union Hilltop Expansion

Seattle Credit Union's initiative in Tacoma's Hilltop neighborhood is a groundbreaking model for equitable banking, designed to empower a historically underserved community. This program harnesses the Credit Union's status as a Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) to pioneer a new approach to community banking through its Hilltop branch, scheduled to open August 2023, which blends traditional branch financial services with financial education and community development.

Key to this approach is the provision of holistic financial coaching, which accounts for a client’s entire financial life within their financial plan. The Credit Union's experts offer personalized guidance to community members, enabling them to map a path towards financial stability and their broader financial goals. This service complements the quantitative targets set by the Credit Union, such as loan provision, which directly promotes financial inclusiveness.

The Credit Union's model also emphasizes financial education and community development, dedicating substantial physical space within the branch for community resource events and financial literacy workshops. In tandem with these services, the Credit Union tracks its positive influence on the community through key indicators such as the number of banked households, improvements in credit scores, and the community's engagement with its education and employment initiatives. This commitment to the community's financial empowerment and the translation of dreams into realities sets this program apart, establishing a unique model of community banking.