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Community Check Cashing in Valley Glen, CA

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Nonprofit check cashing and financial services program that closed in 2023, operated by Community Development Finance (CDF) to serve underbanked communities in California.

Data compiled from public sources

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Community Check Cashing Review

Community Check Cashing (CCC) was a nonprofit program of Community Development Finance, a 501(c)(3) organization based in California. Founded in May 2009 in Oakland's Fruitvale neighborhood, CCC operated what the organization believed to be the first and only nonprofit, full-service, standalone check cashing store in the United States. The program closed in July 2023 after 14 years of operation, with store manager Luis Diaz returning to Colombia.

During its operation, CCC offered below-market-priced financial services including check cashing, payroll advances (licensed under California Deferred Deposit Law), small loans, financial coaching, and small business assistance. The company was licensed by the California Department of Financial Protection & Innovation (DFPI) as both a Finance Lender (License No. 6053642) and Check Casher (Permit No. 8572001), and held a Payroll Advance license (License No. 100-3398). CCC actively worked with banks and credit unions to refer customers for account opening and loan opportunities, and developed programs in response to identified community needs.

What distinguished CCC was its explicit nonprofit mission and commitment to serving low-income, very low-income, unbanked, and underserved populations. The organization operated transparently about its nonprofit status and made below-market rates and fees a core differentiator. Beyond transactional services, CCC provided financial literacy training and coaching, personal assistance to improve financial knowledge, and small business support—services rarely bundled with check cashing.

The company is no longer operational as a storefront. However, Community Development Finance continues operations and has shifted focus toward lending programs, financial training activities (including partnerships with Teachers Rooted in Oakland, Ridgeview Terrace Apartments, and Jackie Robinson Apartments in San Francisco), and exploring expanded lending programs. The closure removes direct access to their services, though CDF remains available for potential future assistance to the Oakland and broader California communities.

Services & Features

Check cashing (below-market priced)
Financial coaching and personal financial assistance
Financial literacy education and training
Payroll advances (California Deferred Deposit Law compliant)
Referrals to banks and credit unions for account opening
Referrals to banks and credit unions for loan products
Small business assistance and support
Small loans (through DFPI Finance Lender license)

Feature Checklist

Mobile App
Online Portal
Score Tracking
Credit Education
Personal Advisor
Identity Theft Protection

Pros & Cons

Pros

  • Explicitly nonprofit (501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization), with below-market rates and fees designed for low-income consumers
  • Provided financial coaching and personal financial assistance beyond basic check cashing
  • Licensed and regulated by California DFPI, ensuring legal compliance and consumer-protection context
  • Actively partnered with banks and credit unions to help customers access mainstream financial services
  • Offered small business assistance, a rare feature among check cashing providers
  • Operated for 14 years with community trust (customers became 'friends' per announcement)
  • listed communication about mission and closure; maintained contact information for ongoing support

Cons

  • Company permanently closed its physical storefront in July 2023, eliminating direct check cashing services
  • Only served California, limiting geographic access
  • Limited documentation on the website about specific fee structures or loan terms offered
  • Parent organization (CDF) now focuses on lending and training rather than check cashing operations
  • No clear pathway for former customers seeking similar nonprofit financial services post-closure

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Bad Credit Loan Guide Payday Alternatives

State Consumer Finance Context

This is state-level context for Payday Alternatives consumers in Valley Glen, CA. It does not confirm that Community Check Cashing or this specific location is licensed.

State regulator

California Department of Financial Protection and Innovation (DFPI)

Consumer protection

California Attorney General Consumer Protection

Payday loan rules in California

Status: Permitted

Rate context: $15 per $100 borrowed (equivalent to 459% APR on typical 14-day loan)

Amount context: $300

Term context: 31 days

Payday loans capped at $300 with maximum fee of $45 total. One loan at a time allowed. California uses the Statewide Payday Loan Database to prevent rollovers. Regulated under Cal. Fin. Code § 22250 et seq. Lenders must be licensed with DFPI.

Installment loan rules in California

Status: Permitted

Rate context: Governed by California Financing Law. Licensed lenders can exceed usury cap for loans under $10,000. AB 539 caps APR at 36% plus federal funds rate for loans $2,500-$10,000.

Installment loans regulated under Cal. Fin. Code § 22000 et seq. Installment Loan Law requires disclosure of finance charge, APR, payment schedule, and other terms. DFPI oversees licensing and enforcement.

Key state rules to check

  • Payday loans capped at $300 with maximum fee of $15 per $100 (459% APR equivalent).
  • The California Consumer Financial Protection Law grants DFPI broad enforcement authority.
  • Licensed finance lenders under the California Financing Law can charge rates above usury for loans under $10,000.

Source: CreditDoc state-law summary and listed public regulator resources. Verify licensing directly with the listed state regulator before relying on a provider.

Frequently Asked Questions

What services does Community Check Cashing offer?

Community Check Cashing offers 8 services including Check cashing (below-market priced), Payroll advances (California Deferred Deposit Law compliant), Small loans (through DFPI Finance Lender license), Financial coaching and personal financial assistance, Financial literacy education and training, and 3 more.

What profile signals are listed for Community Check Cashing?

Community Check Cashing has profile signals associated with Consumers in Oakland/San Francisco Bay Area seeking financial literacy and coaching (through continuing CDF partnerships), Small business owners in California looking for nonprofit-based financial support (through CDF lending programs), Low-income households interested in the history and model of nonprofit financial services, Researchers studying nonprofit alternatives to predatory payday lending.

What are the strengths and weaknesses of Community Check Cashing?

Key strengths: Explicitly nonprofit (501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization), with below-market rates and fees designed for low-income consumers; Provided financial coaching and personal financial assistance beyond basic check cashing; Licensed and regulated by California DFPI, ensuring legal compliance and consumer-protection context. Areas to consider: Company permanently closed its physical storefront in July 2023, eliminating direct check cashing services; Only served California, limiting geographic access.

How does Community Check Cashing compare to similar companies?

In the Payday Alternatives category, comparable providers include BMG Money, Business Consortium Fund, Kashable. Each company has different strengths, so compare services, pricing, and consumer complaint records before deciding what to do next.

Quick Facts

Headquarters
14070 Vanowen St, Valley Glen, CA 91405
BBB Accredited
No
Visit Community Check Cashing

CreditDoc Profile Note

Research Note on Community Check Cashing

Community Check Cashing is no longer operational, making it unsuitable for current consumer use. However, it remains relevant for those researching nonprofit payday alternative models or seeking ongoing support through its parent organization, Community Development Finance, which continues limited financial training and lending programs in California. The main caveat is that the check cashing store itself closed in 2023; only CDF's lending and partnership programs continue.

Profile Signals

  • Consumers in Oakland/San Francisco Bay Area seeking financial literacy and coaching (through continuing CDF partnerships)
  • Small business owners in California looking for nonprofit-based financial support (through CDF lending programs)
  • Low-income households interested in the history and model of nonprofit financial services
  • Researchers studying nonprofit alternatives to predatory payday lending
Updated 2026-05-08

Similar Companies

BMG Money logo

BMG Money

BMG Money offers employer-based personal loans ($500-$12,000) with payroll deduction repayment through its LoansAtWork program. Founded 2009 in Miami. BBB A+ accredited. APRs 19.99-35.99%. Partners with government agencies, hospitals, school districts.

4.6/5

Google rating from 4,841 reviews

BBB: A+

Profile signals: Government employees, hospital workers, and school district staff whose employers partner with BMG Money for payroll deduction loans, Federal employees and retirees seeking allotment-based loans with automatic repayment

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Business Consortium Fund logo

Business Consortium Fund

Nonprofit CDFI lender offering business term loans from $25K and lines of credit from $100K to minority-owned and underserved small businesses since 1985.

5.0/5

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Profile signals: Minority-owned small businesses with $100K+ annual revenue seeking $25K–$100K+ in working capital, Businesses with active corporate or government contracts needing capital to fulfill purchase orders

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Kashable logo

Kashable

Kashable offers employer-sponsored short-term loans integrated with payroll systems, providing low-cost credit to employees as a voluntary workplace benefit.

4.6/5

Google rating from 1,239 reviews

BBB: NR

Profile signals: Employees at large employers offering Kashable as a workplace benefit seeking short-term emergency financing, Federal employees with stable income seeking low-cost credit alternatives with automatic payroll repayment

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Quick Summary

  • Community Check Cashing is listed as a Payday Alternatives provider in Valley Glen, CA on CreditDoc.
  • Use this page to check contact details, location, listed services, review signals, FAQs, and similar providers before deciding what to do next.
  • If you need a loan, account, installment option, credit help, or debt support, start with the fit quiz and compare alternatives before contacting a provider.
  • For broader context, continue into the free Credit Fundamentals course or a relevant financial wellness guide.

Next Steps

Find contact or location Check phone, address, map, and website availability. Check specific services See whether the provider lists the help you need. Review fit context Use the quiz to compare category, service, and public-rating fields. Compare alternatives Review similar providers before making contact. Improve your position What Is a Good Credit Score and Why Your Tier Matters (2026) Learn the basics Start the free Credit Fundamentals course.

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Financial Terms Explained (10 terms)

New to credit and lending? Here are the key terms used on this page, explained in plain language with real-number examples.

Interest & Rates

APR — Annual Percentage Rate

The total yearly cost of borrowing money, including the interest rate plus any fees the lender charges. Think of it as the 'true price tag' on a loan.

Why it matters

Lenders are required to show APR by law (Truth in Lending Act) because the interest rate alone can hide fees. Comparing APR across lenders is the most reliable way to find the lower-cost loan.

Example

You borrow $10,000 at 6% interest for 3 years, but there's a $300 origination fee. The interest rate is 6%, but the APR is 6.9% because it includes that fee. You'd pay $304/month and $946 total in interest.

Compound Interest

Interest calculated on both the original amount borrowed AND the interest that's already been added. It's 'interest on interest' — and it makes debt grow faster than you'd expect.

Why it matters

Credit cards and many loans use compound interest. If you only make minimum payments, compound interest is why a $3,000 balance can take 15 years to pay off.

Example

You owe $1,000 at 20% annual interest compounded monthly. After month 1 you owe $1,016.67. Month 2, interest is charged on $1,016.67 (not $1,000), so you owe $1,033.61. After 1 year without payments: $1,219.

MAPR — Military Annual Percentage Rate

A special APR calculation used for military servicemembers that includes ALL costs — fees, insurance, and add-ons — capped at 36% by federal law.

Why it matters

The Military Lending Act protects active-duty servicemembers and their families from high-cost lending. Any lender charging above 36% MAPR to military is breaking federal law.

Example

A payday lender charges a $15 fee per $100 borrowed for 2 weeks. For civilians, that's technically legal in some states. For military: that works out to 391% MAPR — illegal under the MLA.

Usury Rate — Usury Rate (Interest Rate Cap)

The maximum interest rate a lender can legally charge in a particular state. Charging above this rate is called 'usury' and is illegal.

Why it matters

Usury laws are your main legal protection against predatory interest rates. But beware: some states have weak or no usury caps, and federal banks can sometimes override state limits.

Example

New York caps interest at 16% for most consumer loans (25% is criminal usury). If a lender tries to charge you 30% in NY, that loan is unenforceable — you could fight it in court.

How Loans Work

Collateral — Loan Collateral

An asset you pledge to the lender as security for a loan. If you stop paying, the lender can seize and sell that asset to recover their money.

Why it matters

Secured loans (with collateral) have lower interest rates because the lender has less risk. But you could lose your home, car, or savings if you default.

Example

A mortgage uses your house as collateral. A car loan uses your vehicle. A title loan uses your car title. If you miss payments, the lender can foreclose or repossess.

Fees & Costs

Late Fee — Late Payment Fee

A charge added to your account when you miss a payment deadline. Most credit cards charge $29-$41 per late payment, and many loans have similar penalties.

Why it matters

The fee itself hurts, but the real damage is to your credit score. A payment 30+ days late stays on your credit report for 7 years and can drop your score 60-110 points.

Example

Your credit card payment of $150 is due March 1. You pay on March 18. The bank charges a $39 late fee. If it's 30+ days late, it gets reported to credit bureaus and your 760 score drops to 670.

NSF Fee — Non-Sufficient Funds Fee

A fee your bank charges when a payment bounces because there isn't enough money in your account. Also called a 'bounced check fee' or 'returned payment fee.'

Why it matters

NSF fees hit you twice — your bank charges you AND the company you were trying to pay may charge their own returned payment fee. That's $50-70 for one missed payment.

Example

Your auto-pay tries to pull $350 for rent, but you only have $280 in checking. Your bank charges $35 NSF fee. Your landlord charges $25 returned payment fee. Total damage: $60 in fees.

Legal Terms

Usury — Usury (Illegal Interest)

The practice of charging interest rates higher than what the law allows. Usury laws set state-specific caps on how much lenders can charge.

Why it matters

If a lender charges usurious rates, the loan may be void, penalties can be reduced, or you may be entitled to damages. Know your state's limits.

Example

Your state caps consumer loans at 24% APR. An online lender charges you 36%. That loan may be unenforceable, and you may only be required to repay the principal — no interest or fees.

Credit Cards

Cash Advance — Credit Card Cash Advance

Using your credit card to get cash from an ATM or bank. It's one of the most expensive ways to borrow — higher interest rate, immediate interest accrual (no grace period), and an upfront fee.

Why it matters

Cash advances are a repeat-borrowing risk: 25-30% APR with no grace period plus a 3-5% fee. Interest starts the second you withdraw, not at the end of the billing cycle.

Example

You take a $500 cash advance. Fee: $25 (5%). Interest: 28% APR starting immediately. After 30 days, you owe $536.67. After 6 months of minimum payments, you've paid $85 in interest on $500.

Want to learn more? Read our Financial Wellness Guides for in-depth explanations and practical advice.

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