Supporting Bay-Area Financial Literacy Through APA Family Support Services

Supporting Bay-Area Financial Literacy Through APA Family Support Services

The Bay Area is home to one of the largest Asian and Pacific Islander (API) communities in the United States. Families of API origin account for over one-third of the region’s population, and this group is also the fastest-growing demographic in San Francisco, according to the 2025 State of Asian and Pacific Islanders San Francisco report, commissioned by API Council.

Culturally appropriate support is crucial to help this diverse and culturally rich group thrive. One challenge: Members of the API community speak many languages, including Burmese, Cantonese, English, Japanese, Korean, Mandarin, Tagalog, Thai and Vietnamese. This linguistic diversity can make some situations — including achieving financial stability — challenging to navigate, particularly for under-resourced families.  

Western Alliance Bank is proud to step up with support for APA Family Support Services (APAFSS) as part of our commitment to improving the future of the communities where we do business. In addition to annual financial support, Western Alliance provides financial literacy programming for API families through APAFSS. Our people deliver two financial literacy workshops each year, based on guidelines provided by the Federal Reserve Bank and offered in Mandarin Chinese and Cantonese, to help API families learn to build financial stability and plan for a vibrant and prosperous future.

APAFSS is well-positioned to help API families in need, with seven operational service sites and a multilingual team fluent in nine languages. Founded in 1987, with a mission to provide every family with a safe, equitable space to thrive, this vital organization offers culturally and linguistically appropriate aid. Through its broad range of programs and services, APAFSS promotes safety, wellness and economic stability for API families in the region, serving over 8,000 children, youth and families annually.

APAFSS annual programs include family resource centers, home visitation, domestic violence prevention, behavioral health counseling, youth development and economic empowerment. As the only AAPI-led non-profit agency in San Francisco providing enhanced visitation for Child Protective Services, APAFSS not only provides mental health counseling for youth in crisis, but also operates a multilingual parental stress hotline and diaper banks in both Chinatown and Visitacion Valley.

By investing in the communities where we do business, Western Alliance Bank helps local families, residents and small business owners to thrive. Through grants, donations and volunteering, we’re dedicated to proactive community support in the cities we call home.