Jun25

Marketers Council; Session Two

The Council, open to marketing and outreach professionals, offers member-driven presentations and roundtable discussions to support credit union success.
Aug5

Executives@Vail

Our 2025 Annual Executive Event brings together executive-level credit union leaders for three days of valuable networking, high-level training and education, and fun recreational options.
Aug13

Q3 Small Credit Union Roundtable

Held quarterly—with additional sessions as needed—these open discussions cover topics like growth strategies, succession planning, operational hurdles, and more.
Aug13

Advocacy 101: Day 1 (Option 1)

Join GoWest Credit Union Association this August for a free two-part virtual Advocacy Training workshop, where you’ll learn how the impact stories you create at your credit union and Advocacy go hand in hand.
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Azpire Builds a Bridge for Arizona’s Underbanked

Posted by on June 25, 2025

Arizona Financial Azpire

Arizona Financial Credit Union has launched “Azpire,” a separate brand designed to help those who “operate outside of traditional banking systems.”

According to the Arizona Financial, it is estimated that more than 600,000 Arizonans are underbanked, and many unbanked and underbanked individuals rely on alternative financial service, such as check cashing, title loans, and money service counters — often paying 20% more in interest on car loans and 30% or more on credit cards.

As a result, many Arizonans are left behind due to low income, limited financial education, or life-altering events such as divorce or medical emergencies.

Arizona Financial Azpire“The traditional financial system isn’t designed for everyone,” Chief Strategy Officer Jason Paprocki said. “Too many people are ignored or turned away because they don’t fit into automated decision-making models. With Azpire, we’re creating a new path that is more empathetic, accessible, and designed to meet people where they are.”

Arizona Financial said Azpire will function as a separate brand and point of entry, “tailored specifically to support the underbanked community without requiring them to navigate the barriers of conventional financial channels.”

Azpire will offer:

  • Second-chance checking and credit options for first-time borrowers
  • Loan products for those with less-than-perfect credit
  • Financial education built specifically for the underbanked audience
  • Internal brand ambassadors across Arizona Financial branches to advocate for underbanked customers

By creating a stand-alone identity for Azpire, Arizona Financial aims to foster trust among underbanked individuals while assuring existing members that their services and standards remain unchanged.

To guide the formation and execution of this program, Arizona Financial enlisted support from local schools and municipalities, as well as community organizations, including Chicanos Por La Causa, the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Black Chamber of Arizona, BASE Arizona, Local First Arizona, A Permanent Voice, and UMOM New Day Centers.

Posted in Arizona, Community Impact, Regional Member News, Top Headlines.