Message from the President

As we conclude the first quarter, I'd like to provide you with some updates on the activities happening here at Provident.

New Oakland Branch
We are excited to announce our new Oakland Community Branch in the Temescal area is now open. Earlier this month, we hosted a Grand Opening celebration with the Oakland Chamber of Commerce. We're delighted to become part of this thriving community. Our team is eager and ready to serve all your banking needs. 

Branch of the Year
We recently honored our Alameda Community Branch with the Branch of the Year Award for 2023. This recognition highlights their exceptional performance in service and branch operations.  Congratulations to our dedicated team at the Alameda branch for their continued commitment to providing outstanding service to our valued members.

Community & Events
Provident is dedicated to serving the community and giving back. We recently made a donation to the Giants Community Fund to support their efforts to promote health, education and character development among children in underserved regions. We are also organizing employee volunteer events around the Bay Area supporting a myriad of causes, starting with an April event with Samaritan House to prepare, package, and serve meals. Last year, we exceeded 1,000 volunteer hours, and we aim to surpass that this year.

Financial Wellness
Achieving financial success is a personal journey, and having the right partner can make all the difference. That's why we're proud to offer our Financial Coaching program, designed to empower our members with the tools, guidance, and support necessary to reach their financial goals.

State of Artificial Intelligence at PCU
Last year, we developed an AI Governance Policy to protect member data through the responsible and ethical use of AI technologies here at the credit union. Since then, AI has expanded to more advanced applications such as personalized member experiences, fraud detection, risk management, and investment strategies. We are now creating a framework for deploying AI technologies that addresses risk, business goals, and success metrics. Our goal is to weave AI into our four strategic pillars to better meet the needs of our members. Here are some AI opportunities that we are currently exploring:

AI Virtual Assistant: Members will be able to get answers to product or service-related questions quickly and easily through an intelligent self-service chat application on our website. This solution will be deployed later this year.

Fighting Fraud: Protecting our members against fraud is paramount. We are currently exploring AI technologies to detect and prevent check fraud on members’ accounts, detect debit card transaction fraud in real-time, and flag fake ID’s at account origination.

As always, we are committed to serving our members and delivering the highest level of service. We deeply appreciate your business and continued trust in the credit union.


With best regards,

Jim Ernest
President and CEO