Altura Credit Union | 2017 Outstanding Company for Women

Hispanic Lifestyle is pleased to announce that Altura Credit Union has been named as a company that provides outstanding opportunities for women.  Altura will be recognized during our opening reception at Hispanic Lifestyle’s 2017 Latina Conference taking place April 5 – 6, 2017 in Ontario, California.  This is the second year Hispanic Lifestyle has recognized companies that provide outstanding opportunities for women.  Altura joins the list Hispanic Lifestyle started in 2016 and continues the tradition of celebrating these companies successes at the start of our now expanded signature event Latina Conference.

Statement on Why Altura Should Receive Recognition
The credit union industry embraces a “people first” philosophy when it comes to serving Members. Altura has very consciously applied that philosophy to its own employees and the communities in which it does business.

In September 2016, Altura was named among the nation’s very best credit unions to work for by a leading industry publication, Credit Union Journal. Altura ranked No. 1 in the state of California, No. 14 in the nation, and No. 8 in the U.S. among credit unions with assets over $1 billon. Credit Union Journal said financial institutions were judged on a variety of topics, including employee engagement in decision-making, employee health and wellness programs, volunteering, recognition, off-site adventures and creative incentive plans, as well as a 78-question survey of employees, which accounted for 75% of the final score.

Additionally, Altura sponsors numerous community events that support women and women’s causes. It is a visible way for Altura to demonstrate its accountability and authenticity to gender inclusion.

• Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure Sponsor
• American Heart Association’s Go Red for Women
• 7th Annual Red Dress Fashion Show for Riverside Community Hospital
• Hispanic Lifestyle Magazine’s 2016 Latina Conference
• American Cancer Society’s Relay For Life
• American Association of University Women’s Tech Trek – Workshop for 7th Grade Girls
• Parkview Community Hospital’s Latina Women’s Health Conference
• Corona Chamber of Commerce’s Riverside County Leadership Conference
• ACSA Region XIX Women’s Leadership Networking Dinner
• National Latina Business Women Association’s Women of Distinction Dinner

Significant Achievements Regarding Women in the Workplace

Altura has an outstanding record of women participation in the workplace:

• 72% of our Workforce are Women
• 67% of our Managers are Women
• 60% of our Executive Management Team are Women

Altura Credit Union is led by an all-volunteer Board of Directors comprised of leaders from the community. In 2015, the Board selected Ofelia Valdez-Yeager as its first woman Board Chair and its first Latina Board Chair. She was re-elected for the 2016-2017 term. In fact, women currently hold three of the four officer positions on the Board: Valdez-Yeager, Chair; Jacqueline Hall, Vice Chair/Chairman Elect; and Gloria Perez, Secretary.

In January 2017, the Board took another bold step when it announced its selection of Jennifer Binkley to succeed Mark Hawkins who is retiring in February as Altura’s CEO after 29 years. Binkley, who was chosen following a months-long nationwide search, already was a prominent leader in the organization. She served as executive vice president and chief operating officer of Altura for nine years. She originally joined the company as president of Altura’s subsidiary company Auto Expert in 2002.
Additionally, Altura offers a number of other supports to women in the workplace:
Pay employees for volunteering at the nonprofit organizations of their choice
Active Employee Work-Life Balance Program, which includes:

• Self-defense classes
• Annual Biggest Loser contest
• Onsite fitness classes
• Offsite fitness membership discounts
• Monthly health and fitness focused Lunch & Learns
• Offer employee discounts on local Farm-to-Table delivery services
• Provide onsite employee college fairs
• Offer free Spanish classes and workshops
• Take Your Sons and Daughters to Work Day annually
• Recruit professional female speakers for internal company events, such as C-17 Pilot and Air Force Major Jengi Martinez

Altura Credit Union recognizes that female leadership is vital for organizations that want to achieve and succeed, and is committed to encouraging female leadership and fostering gender equality in our workplace. Building on this foundation creates a work environment that benefits all employees and enables them to better serve our Members and the community.

Company Profile – Altura Credit Union, Riverside

Altura Credit Union is a not-for-profit financial cooperative with a lengthy and reliable history in the Inland Empire of serving its Members and the communities in which it does business, while also providing career opportunities for its employees.  Altura offers a full range of financial products and services, including checking and savings products, debit cards, credit cards, web and mobile banking, money market and certificates of deposits, as well as personal, auto and home loans.

Altura also is a vital part of the community. Board Members are local leaders who volunteer their time, are representative of the community, and are deeply committed to serving the community at large.  Altura works with numerous local organizations and individuals to contribute to overall community success.

Altura demonstrates its commitment to students, schools and other not-for-profit organizations through cash donations, in-kind contributions and volunteer efforts. In recent years, Altura has donated more than $340,000 annually to local organizations. Additionally, many employees assist local charitable and non-profit organizations as volunteers, and Altura is proud of the commitment they show for causes important to them and to the community.

Additionally, Altura’s Scholarship Foundation awards $1,000 college scholarships to dozens of Riverside County high school seniors annually.  Since 1993, more than $400,000 has been awarded to help students with the costs of pursuing higher education.

Altura is the largest credit union headquartered in Riverside with total assets of $1.22 billion. Altura serves 118,000 Members in the Inland Empire with 14 local branches and 68 local ATMs. Membership in Altura is open to anyone who lives, works, attends school or worships in Riverside and San Diego counties, and selected cities in San Bernardino and Orange counties, as well as U.S. Military, U.S. Government and civilian employees working at March Air Reserve Base in Riverside County; and retirees of the United States Armed Forces.