OneAZ Credit Union leaders Mike Bowden and Chip Griffith explain why locally rooted financial institutions matter for Arizona businesses and communities.

When we talk about choosing local, we usually think about where we shop, eat or hire a service. But some of our most consequential economic choices happen long before we make a purchase.

Where you keep your money may feel like a personal financial decision. But collectively, those decisions can shape which businesses get access to capital, which communities retain financial services and how much money continues circulating within Arizona.

What happens when a credit union has been rooted in the same community since 1937 — and still considers itself just getting started?

In the latest episode of the Arizona’s Credit Unions Podcast, Local First Arizona's Thomas Barr sits down with Tucson Federal Credit Union President and CEO Matthew Gaspari and Vice President of Business Services Shaima Namazifard to talk about what local banking looks like in practice — from expanding access to business capital to keeping financial decisions rooted in the communities they affect.

Hace algunos años, Yorsa Martinez se sentaba entre decenas de emprendedores que buscaban aprender cómo convertir una idea en un negocio. Hoy regresa al mismo salón, pero desde el frente del aula.

Ya no llega como estudiante, sino como facilitadora, coach y conferencista que acompaña a otros en el mismo camino que ella recorrió. Su historia refleja el poder de la preparación, la perseverancia y el compromiso de devolver a la comunidad aquello que un día recibió.