By Joel Langton
The 830 Times
EAGLE PASS – A Del Rio-based credit union cut the ribbon on their second Eagle Pass location Thursday afternoon, and the community praised them for serving the underserved.
Border Federal Credit Union opened a new branch at 2344 El Indio Highway Thursday, and the business’s lobby was jam packed with supporters.
Del Rio councilwoman, BFCU board chairwoman and the day’s mistress of ceremonies Carmen Gutierrez introduced a coterie of VIPs attending the event and then turned the microphone over to BFCU Chief Executive Officer Maria Martinez.
“This is about serving the underserved,” Martinez told the standing-only-room audience.
According to data Martinez and several other speakers cited from the 2020 U.S. Census, the average household income in the area is $39,388 household and $16,000 per person.
“This is a great opportunity for our south side of Eagle Pass,” said Ramsey English Cantú, Maverick County Judge and former Eagle Pass mayor. “And I just take this opportunity to thank the board of directors and the CEO Maria Martinez, because their vision and type have taken a financial institution to a greater level of support for our residents, and I know that it’s just going to continue growing here in Maverick County.”
Cantú added BFCU was the only financial institution in the area.
The grand opening was BFCU’s fifth location with two in Del Rio and Eagle Pass and its original branch located at Laughlin Air Force Base.
Several hours after the grand opening, BFCU had its first members’ meeting outside Del Rio, where they named former Del Rio mayor and BFCU board member Dora Alcala as a board member emeritus.
Alcala served for 30 years as a Border FCU volunteer,, sometimes serving on the board and sometimes on the supervisory committee. The honor was voted on and approved by the BFCU Board of Directors.
According to Abram Rodriguez, marketing and public relations manager, BFCU has received two national awards in the last five years for its service to the community.
10X Credit Union for 2025: BFCU was named a 10X Credit Union for 2025, an honor based on an analysis of credit unions demonstrating long-term success through consistent membership growth, strong core earnings, operational efficiency and exceptional member retention.
Community Development Financial Institutions Fund Award: In 2022, BFCU received a $717,900 award from the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Community Development Financial Institutions Fund, recognizing its efforts to provide financial services in underserved communities.
