Two long-time credit counseling services in California have merged operations from the Bay area to Bakersfield.

BALANCE, based in Concord, Calif., announced Feb. 1 that it has completed a merger with Consumer Credit Counseling Service of Kern and Tulare Counties (CCCS) — counties adjoining along the southern end of the state's Central Valley.

The agencies will expand upon their mission to provide consumers with comprehensive financial counseling and educational resources. Residents in the Bakersfield area will have access to new services such as expanded hours for credit and housing counseling, online financial tools, student loan counseling, reverse mortgage counseling, and a suite of new employer and partner programs focused on increasing financial capability.

The merged agencies will operate under the BALANCE name, with Kathryn J. Davis continuing her role as CEO and president. The headquarters will be located in Concord, with a local office to remain in Bakersfield, the Kern County seat, 270 miles southeast of Concord.

Both nonprofits have their roots in the 1960s: BALANCE began in 1969 as Consumer Credit Counseling Service of San Francisco; CCCS of Kern and Tulare Counties was founded in 1966.

“For more than 50 years, they have provided the local community with much-needed financial counseling, debt repayment options and homebuyer assistance,” Davis said. “They are a trusted neighbor and have always been on the side of consumers.”

Stephen Pelz, Board Chair of CCCS, added, “we are pleased to be able to not only preserve, but enhance the services provided by CCCS to our local communities through the merger. BALANCE is a well-respected organization, and Kern County residents will benefit from the expanded services.”

Meanwhile, BALANCE also announced that Northwest Credit Union Foundation has selected BALANCE's BalanceTrack eLearning modules. These training programs will be offered to credit unions offering the Northwest Matched Education Savings Account (MESA) Program. MESA provides financial assistance to individuals with lower incomes by helping them save for post-secondary education at Idaho, Oregon, or Washington schools.

“We looked for a fun, easy, helpful resource for our MESA students and we found that in our partnership with BALANCE,” said Denise Gabel, NWCUF Executive Director.

Instant Insights /

BALANCE Merges with Bakersfield Credit Counseling Service

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