PHOENIX (STN) – When Arizona Financial Credit Union announced the launch of its ‘Azpire’ program during Season 3 of It Happens at STN, the goal was clear: serve the unbanked and underbanked across Arizona with dignity, transparency, and affordable financial services.
One year later, EVP and Chief Strategy Officer Jason Paprocki returned to the show with an exciting update that ‘Azpire’ is not only thriving, but it’s catalyzing new collaborations across the community.
“We’re trying to get people out of check cashing, money orders, driving around town paying bills in cash,” Paprocki said. “Let’s get you safe, secured, and banked.”
‘Azpire’ check-in shows banking access equals community impact:
The ‘Azpire’ initiative has sparked unexpected momentum. Nonprofits that weren’t even on the radar a year ago are now reaching out, eager to partner. That includes organizations like Candelen, seeking banking support for in-home childcare providers, and Third Decade, a group focused on financial literacy for young adults. These partnerships extend beyond transactional banking; they’re growing into a movement rooted in equity, empowerment, and shared accountability.
“A lot of folks are coming out to share their expertise and really get behind us,” Paprocki explained. “We’re connecting organizations left and right through this process, which is fantastic.”
What makes Azpire so powerful is how it honors Arizona Financial’s roots. Once a small institution chartered to serve underserved communities, the credit union is leaning into its origin story, sharing its success with those still facing barriers to basic banking access.
Paprocki’s message to the room was simple: “Even if we don’t find a way to partner directly, just reach out. The connections alone are worth it.”
In a world where banking access is often a privilege, Azpire continues to prove it can, and should, be a right.
