CITY NEWS
PEORIA WINS BEST OF THE WEST AWARD THE PEORIA BUSINESS CONCIERGE PROGRAM WINS WESTMARC AWARD ON NOVEMBER 7, THE CITY OF PEORIA WON THE EXCELLENCE IN INNOVATION AWARD FOR THE PEORIA BUSINESS CONCIERGE PROGRAM AT WESTMARC’S BEST OF THE WEST AWARD EVENT. “Peoria has an amazing, thriving small business community and every day, we are working hard to provide these leaders with the tools and resources they need to be successful,” said Mayor Cathy Carlat. “We have secured important partnerships along the way, and we are thrilled to see our commitment to supporting our business community recognized.”
every business in the city. The goal is to strengthen the city’s partnership with the business community, connecting them with city services and local support programs. The Arizona Network of Small Business Development Centers (SBDC), Arizona State University’s Entrepreneurial and Innovation Program (ASU E+I), and the Peoria Business Concierge Program work together to cultivate and engage Peoria entrepreneurs and business
owners. More than 400 businesses have been impacted since the concierge program launched.
“This award demonstrates the city’s dedication to investing in and growing a thriving ecosystem of entrepreneurship – one that empowers individuals, improves standards of living and creates jobs, wealth and innovation in the local economy” said Rick Buss, Peoria’s economic development services director.
The WESTMARC’s Excellence in Innovation Award recognizes individuals, organizations, businesses, facilities or programs that have demonstrated an innovative concept to fulfill a need for West Valley residents or preserve the West Valley assets or resources. WESTMARC is the regional economic development organization for the West Valley, a public-private partnership of the 15 communities, the business community and the educational sector in the West Valley.
Launched in November 2018, the Peoria Business Concierge Program is a direct result of the Peoria city council’s vision of providing personalized care and attention to
WASHINGTON FEDERAL TRANSFORMS INTO WAFD BANK ARIZONA
By Alison Bailin Batz
WASHINGTON FEDERAL IS ONE OF THE NATION’S STRONGEST BANKS. WITHIN ARIZONA, IT BOASTS $1.4 BILLION IN DEPOSITS AT ITS 31 BRANCHES. But over the past several years, even after winning the Money Magazine’s “Best Bank” in the state, Washington Federal in Arizona still got the same questions over and over. Some of Arizona regional president Mike Brown’s favorites are: • Is Washington Federal part of the federal government? • Washington Federal is a credit union headquartered in DC, right? • Is Washington Federal a prison? “We got the message. People who don’t know us yet might not be able to tell what we do. We needed to address that challenge while making sure our bank would be clearly recognizable in all of our markets,” says Brown.
WASHINGTON FEDERAL TO WAFD BANK As such, according to Brown, Washington Federal adopted its longtime nickname, WaFd Bank, as its trade name.
“It tells people we are a bank and is an abbreviation of our current name. We pronounce it Wah-Fed,” says Brown. “WaFd Bank aligns with our NASDAQ ticker symbol, which is WAFD. WAFDbank is also our name on social media.” Along with the change came an entirely new logo as well. The new logo is created out of eight interlocking W’s, recognizing their Washington state roots and symbolizing how their branches across now eight states are linked together as a team across the markets they serve – bankers, clients and communities working together to fuel economic growth and strengthen neighborhoods.
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“Customers will start to see changes in the digital arena and on the website very soon, including new email signatures, signage and other advertising materials throughout 2020,” says Brown, noting WaFd Bank is innovating every day, but still remains a friendly, accessible brand.
it in Arizona via the WaFd Bank Foundation.
And a truly local one that cares about the community. “We’ve funded projects to expand a local airport, built safe housing, added dorms and other needed buildings for a university, and more,” says Brown.
Among the local organizations that have benefitted from the Foundation in recent years are: Care Fund, UMOM New Day Centers, Habitat for Humanity, Central Arizona Shelter Services, International Rescue Committee, Pima County Community Land Trust, Right Turn for Yuma Veterans, Boys & Girls Clubs statewide, YMCA, Youth on their Own, Junior Achievement of Arizona, Chicanos Por La Causa and Save the Family.
He also launched community outreach program called ‘WaFd Focus on Arizona,’ wherein he empowers each and every member of our company in Arizona to work together to donate time and fundraise for causes they personally care about. Finally, WaFd Bank Arizona walks the walk with real financial commitments to those who need
“The mission of the WaFd Bank Foundation is to facilitate direct donations to community-based nonprofits that are serving the needs of low and moderateincome individuals,” says Brown.
This year alone the local team has volunteered over 2,200 hours and donated nearly $150,000 in grants. For more, visit www.wafd.com. yourupperwestsider.com
