Vantage West wants Paul Winkler, a optic sciences graduate student, to focus on his studies and feel at home as he settles into his apartment.  To do that, Vantage West will provide this lucky winner a $1,500 room makeover.

Vantage West has been honored with three awards voted on by the readers of the Arizona Daily Star. The annual Readers’ Choice awards encourage readers to choose favorites — from shopping to service to dining.  Vantage West was named winner in the categories of Best Bank/Credit Union and Best Adult Enrichment Classes.  Additionally, Vantage West was voted a Fan Favorite in the category of Best Debit Card.

“In other regions, Hispanics are thought to be underbanked and underserved, but that is not the case in Arizona,” said Luis Soto, Hispanic Marketing Manager.  With more than 120,000 Hispanic-owned businesses in Arizona, Vantage West offers bilingual small-business experts in its lending division.

The Juntos Avanzamos program is growing.  Last week, Vantage West became the first credit union outside of Texas and Oklahoma to receive the designation.  The Juntos Avanzamos program aims to empower credit unions to serve the Hispanic population more effectively.

United Way launched its 2015-2016 workforce campaign yesterday.  Robert D. Ramirez, president and CEO of Vantage West Credit Union, is chairman of the campaign.

We are surrounded by people who embrace giving as a part of our community culture.  As 2015-2016 Campaign Chair for the United Way of Tucson and Southern AZ, I am hopeful that spirit will help make this the most successful United Way Community Campaign ever.