Wescom CU has been named the official banking partner of the UCLA Dashew Center for International Students and Scholars. As UCLA is home to more than 12,000 international students and scholars representing more than 120 countries, the Dashew Center — dedicated to promoting global connection, international understanding, and cultural sensitivity — serves as the central hub for visa services, support, and advocacy to students and scholars prior to their arrival and throughout their time at UCLA.

“We look forward to welcoming these international students and scholars to UCLA and to Southern California as we continue to expand our engagement with and commitment to the UCLA community,” said Ashley White, vice president of partner development for Wescom CU. “Our credit union provides more than 200,000 Wescom members — including UCLA students, faculty, staff and alumni — with the personal service, competitive loan rates, and outstanding savings yields for which we are known.”

One of the most important programs Wescom CU will undertake as the official banking partner of the international student center is a close collaboration to develop financial literacy programs to foster healthy financial habits. These programs will be designed to meet the unique needs of international students and scholars who may be unfamiliar with the U.S. banking system and the importance of understanding the U.S credit system, as well as how to best manage their finances during their time abroad.

“Our partnership and collaboration with Wescom will provide our international students and scholars a new source of financial support and literacy upon arrival in the United States,” said Sam Nahidi, director of the center. “We believe this partnership will equip our community with crucial financial wellness resources and banking support benefits, which are common obstacles that international students and scholars face during their adaptation to living in the United States.”

Wescom CU offers other advantages to international students and scholars. For example, unlike many other financial institutions that require a Social Security number or Taxpayer ID to open an account, Wescom will waive those requirements so incoming UCLA international students and scholars can open an account before they arrive in the United States. By simply emailing Wescom’s UCLA Campus Branch directly, the Wescom team will personally assist international students and scholars in opening an account.

Additionally, Wescom CU has a full-service, on-campus branch centrally located at the Ackerman Student Union, and seven convenient ATMs throughout the UCLA campus, making it easy for these international students and scholars to manage their finances without having to leave campus.

Wescom CU has supported and partnered with UCLA for more than seven years now and is the official banking partner of UCLA Athletics, UCLA Alumni Association, UCLA Campus Life and Recreation, and the Rose Bowl Stadium. Wescom is also an official partner of the UCLA Financial Wellness Program, UCLA Staff Assembly, and Associated Students of UCLA (ASUCLA).

You can view Wescom CU’s special offers for UCLA international students and scholars here.

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