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With Filipino Americans representing a significant segment of the Hawaii Central Federal Credit Union (Hawaii Central) membership and as a part of an organizational commitment to diversity, the Credit Union recently established its premier Filipino Community Relations Team to help meet needs within the Filipino community. In addition to being highly skilled and having an in-depth knowledge of Hawaii Central’s products, services and benefits, members of the Hawaii Central Filipino Community Relations Team speak Tagalog, Ilocano and Visayan.
The team recently participated in the Flores de Mayo Filipino Fiesta, held at the Filipino Community Center in Waipahu on May 6, 2023. The Hawaii Central tent was frequented by visitors throughout the day, including Councilman Augie Tulba and US Representative Ed Case. Visitors to the tent received valuable information on our low rates and had a chance to try their luck at winning various prize giveaways.
“We are honored and pleased to be here, celebrating the traditions, culture and heritage of the Filipino community,” said Filipino Community Relations Officer Engie Pagaduan. Actively involved with the United Filipino Council of Hawaii, Pagaduan has attended the celebration since its advent in Hawaii. Pagaduan said the Filipino Community Relations Team “was formed to help the Filipino community realize their financial goals”. Matda Bautista-Cadiz and Janet Viray work closely with Pagaduan in the branch and said they are happy to be on the team to support her efforts in the Filipino Community on behalf of Hawaii Central.
Under the leadership of Pagaduan, along with other volunteers, the team of ten was passionate about engaging the Filipino community on Oahu. Together, they were available on Saturday to help attendees open new accounts and explain Hawaii Central’s various benefits, products, and services.
As the first financial institution in the State of Hawaii to offer video banking services, Digital Banking Specialist Riza Reyes was on hand to explain how this service helps members keep connected with Hawaii Central in real time while they are globetrotting, maybe even while visiting the Philippines. “With video banking, we can help members, and potential members, open an account, apply for a loan, e-sign certain documents, and of course we are available to answer questions.”
Mortgage Loan Processor Reyna Dallago and Real Estate Loans Administrative Assistant Kimberly Mondejar spent the day connecting with attendees. “The most rewarding thing [about] working at Hawaii Central Federal Credit Union is that helping people is the most important,” said Mondejar. “In our Real Estate Department, we offer the First-time Homebuyer Program.”
Unlike a conventional home loan that requires 20% down, through Hawaii Central FCU’s First-time Homebuyer’s program, dreams of homeownership become a reality with just 10% down. As an added benefit, there is no mortgage insurance required through this program.
Hilda Reyes-Almodova, Kryzel Valdez and Donna Badua worked to help attendees, interested in taking advantage of the benefits and services offered by Hawaii Central FCU, open new accounts on the spot.
Among the services that interested attendees was Hawaii Central’s ACH (Automated Clearing House) on demand service. “ACH on demand service allows our members to actually access pending funds, pending credit funds, that otherwise would have taken 1-2 business days to post. It’s not just payroll credits, but its for any type of credit,” said KJ Bayawa, Accountant, and accredited ACH professional.
There were lots of giveaways at the Hawaii Central booth, and visitors who spun the wheel were qualified to enter a raffle in one of four drawings for a $50 VISA gift card.
“We recognize our community is diverse in culture and needs and we are intent on providing innovative products and services,” said President Drake Tanabe. “In addition to Tagalog, Ilocano, and Visayan, we have staff who speak Samoan, Spanish, and Palauan.”
