The Upside
Why Local Credit Unions Matter in Tucson with Matthew Gaspari of Tucson Federal Credit Union
April 25, 2026
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Why Local Credit Unions Matter in Tucson with Matthew Gaspari of Tucson Federal Credit Union Edmund Marquez
In this episode of The Upside, host Edmund Marquez sits down with Matthew Gaspari, CEO of Tucson Federal Credit Union, for a thoughtful conversation about local banking, small business lending, financial access, and what it means to invest in a community.
Matthew shares his journey from part-time teller to CEO, then explains how credit unions differ from traditional banks and why that difference matters in Tucson. The conversation explores local lending, support for small businesses, the role of trust in financial services, and the importance of serving underserved and unbanked communities.
They also discuss community leadership, economic access, and why local institutions still matter in a rapidly changing world.
In this episode:
- The difference between credit unions and banks
- Why local lending matters
- Supporting small businesses in Tucson
- Banking access, trust, and financial education
- Serving underserved and unbanked communities
- Community investment and Tucson’s future
Listen now to hear why local credit unions continue to play an important role in helping Tucson grow.