After building a trusting relationship over several months, our team learned that our 72-year-old member was still working two part-time jobs to make ends meet. When multiple financial pressures hit at once —vehicle registration costs, the need to replace essential work items, and a delayed tax refund — he came to us for guidance. By asking thoughtful questions and looking at his full financial picture, we helped him consolidate debt through a personal loan, refinance his auto loan to lower his rate and shorten the term, and reduce high-interest credit card balances with a promotional balance transfer.
As he prepared to receive SSI and additional monthly income, we also focused on long-term stability — helping him plan for emergency savings and connecting him with a Certified Financial Specialist to build a budget and aggressively pay down debt. Because of the trust we built and the time we took to understand his needs, we were able to deliver the right solutions at the right moment, strengthening his financial wellbeing and reinforcing Patelco’s commitment to doing what’s right for our members.
