Southeast Fresno credit union to focus on serving low-income residents

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- Southeast Fresno will soon have a full-service credit union focused on serving low-income residents. It's under construction on the southwest corner of Kings Canyon Road and Peach Avenue.

The Fresno Economic Opportunities Commission partnered with Self-Help Federal Credit Union to open the branch. It will help ensure that low-income families and other underserved groups have a fair and affordable alternative to meet their banking needs.

"Giving economic opportunity for all, not just for certain individuals. There are so many people that are outside of the mainstream that do not have that opportunity, and we want to be able to provide that," said Joe Duran, executive vice president of Self-Help Federal Credit Union.

The branch is scheduled to open in September. According to the EOC, while there are more than 80 bank and credit union offices in Fresno, only four are located in Southeast Fresno. By contrast, most of Fresno's payday lenders are located in the southern half of the city.