San Diego’s credit union leaders, hosted by North Island Credit Union and California’s Credit Unions, recently held meetings with California Assemblymember Dr. LaShae Sharp-Collins and California Senate District 40 candidate Kristie Bruce-Lane — events focusing on the role credit unions play.

North Island Credit Union leaders expressed gratitude for the active engagement of their legislative and community leaders. Sharp-Collins (D-San Diego), who was elected to represent the 79th Assembly District in November 2024, brought experience from her previous role as district director for former assemblymember (now Secretary of State Dr. Shirley N. Weber). Her district encompasses areas where financial inclusion and accessibility are significant community priorities.

Bruce-Lane demonstrated her dedication as a proven community leader, having served as a director on the San Diego Water Board (Olivenhain Municipal Water). Her campaign, which includes portions of Escondido, Poway, San Marcos, and Santee, is rooted in being a strong and accessible representative for her community’s voice in Sacramento.

Both visits converged around Sharp-Collins’ district and Bruce-Lane’s community, exploring legislative partnerships to boost financial services, literacy, and consumer protection across San Diego County. Initiatives that align with the credit union mission of empowering Californians were in discussed, including:

• Promoting financial literacy. Credit union leaders stressed the importance of financial education for all age groups, highlighting programs such as the “Bite of Reality” financial simulation that prepares young adults for real-world fiscal challenges.
• Expanding equitable access. A significant topic was the need to expand access to financial services, especially in underserved areas and “banking deserts” within Sharp-Collins’s 79th Assembly District, which includes parts of southeastern San Diego, El Cajon, La Mesa, and Lemon Grove. Additionally, Bruce-Lane’s bid for the 40th Senate District was discussed, covering cities like Escondido, Poway, and Santee — encompassing diverse communities with varying financial needs.
• Combating fraud and scams. There was a noted emphasis on the growing necessity for senior scam workshops and seminars across the region to protect vulnerable community members from financial fraud. The conversation explored joint strategies for credit unions and legislative offices to amplify these protective efforts.

California’s Credit Unions would like to thank Sharp-Collins and Bruce-Lane for their participation in this important local credit union dialogue. Both leaders engaged in thoughtful discussion about potential partnerships that can strengthen community engagement and foster stronger trust between financial institutions and the constituents they serve.

All around, attendees felt that greater collaboration with policymakers who understand “the credit union difference” is the key to empowering Californians through financial inclusion and education.