DUBLIN, Calif. – June 2, 2022 — Patelco Credit Union, a Bay Area-based credit union dedicated to the financial wellness of its members and communities, created a three-month campaign to inspire members to switch from paper to e-statements and give back to California areas affected by the recent catastrophic wildfires. For every switch, Patelco donated $5 to One Tree Planted to plant five trees. The campaign sparked thousands of members to switch to eStatments and Patelco donated $23,000 to One Tree Planted to plant 23,000 trees. 

According to One Tree Planted, “The latest forest fire season on the west coast of North America has been extreme. But an impactful way to help the affected regions directly is by planting a tree. Trees play a vital role in maintaining the liveliness of California communities. Restoring areas affected by wildfires throughout the whole of California, produces ecological benefits such as habitat restoration and erosion control and help to reduce the risk of catastrophic fires and floods in the region.”

Patelco has a history of helping the Northern California region recover from natural disasters. For example, after Northern California’s catastrophic Camp Fire, Patelco activated the Disaster Relief Program to provide immediate financial assistance to affected members through waived fees, loan deferments, and short-term, low-interest loans, including up to $500 with no interest.  Patelco has also donated more than 600 volunteer hours and more than $100,000 in financial aid and supplies to the victims. 

“We’re dedicated to giving back to the communities we serve and planting trees is another way we can continue to contribute to our natural spaces and support a cause that is near and dear to our hearts,” said Rina Johnson, Vice President of Marketing at Patelco Credit Union. “We’re proud of our members for stepping up to make the switch, minimizing paper waste while putting trees back into our forest.”

About Patelco Credit Union

Dublin, Calif.-based Patelco Credit Union is a not-for-profit credit union committed to serving the financial health and well-being of its membership. With more than 400,000 members, primarily in and around northern California, Patelco is committed to improving its members’ financial well-being and fueling hope and opportunity for its members by offering personalized solutions, advice, and expertise that empower them to achieve personal financial freedom. Founded in 1936 with $500 in assets by employees of the Pacific Telephone and Telegraph Company, Patelco is in the top one percent of U.S. credit unions with more than $9 billion in assets. For more information, visit https://www.patelco.org/. Patelco Credit Union is insured by the NCUA and is an equal housing lender member.