31B - CHECK CASHING BUSINESS - 1647 EAST FIRST STREET

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VA Nos. 2009-03, 05, 06, 07 & 09 CUP No. 2009-15 October 12, 2009 Page 6 including Bank of America, Bank of the West, JP Morgan Chase, Union Bank and Wells Fargo, now accept Consular Identification cards issued by foreign governments such as the Matricula Consular issued by the Government of Mexico as one form of valid identification. This practice was authorized by the United States Treasury Department as part of the mandate that banking establishments require valid identification from those wishing to open new accounts pursuant to the provisions of the U.S. Patriot Act. Once an account is established, the bank customer is eligible for all check cashing services provided by that bank. In December, 2008 Governor Schwarzenegger launched the "Bank on California" program to increase the number of Californians with bank accounts. According to the Office of Planning and Research, one in five Californians do not have a checking account, and will spend up to five percent of their annual income cashing checks each year. Currently, of Santa Ana's 60 banks and credit unions, 30 have already signed on to accept Consular Identification cards (Exhibit 5). Additionally, on August 26, 2009, Mayor Pulido sent a letter to various banks within Santa Ana to encourage them to join the "Bank on Santa Ana" program and begin to accept Consular Identification cards as a valid form of identification. This recent push for additional banks and credit unions to begin accepting the Consular card as a valid form of identification will likely result in an increase in that number. The opening of an account with a commercial bank or credit union is often the first step towards establishing a credit history and provides a free or low-cost way to begin saving money for the future, in addition to allowing wage earners to keep more of their paychecks. Availability of Check Cashing and Banking Services in the Area In addition to Cash Multi-Service, there are six other check cashing businesses located within a one mile radius of the project site that provide the same or similar financial services as the proposed facility. Excluding Cash Multi-Service, the next nearest check cashing facility is located approximately 1,631 feet from the subject property at 1325 East First Street, with another facility located 2,165 feet from the subject property at 218 North Grand Avenue (Exhibit 6). There are also five commercial banks within the one-mile radius of the proposed check cashing facility and two additional banks just outside of the one-mile radius ring. The following table lists these banks and their current ability to use Consular identification. They are arranged in order of proximity to the subject address. 31 B-8