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Community Check Cashing in Valley Glen, CA
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 · Rating from CreditDoc methodology
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 protections
- 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)
- Transparent 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
Rating Breakdown
Value 5.0
Effectiveness 3.5
Customer Service 3.7
Transparency 3.5
Ease of Use 3.9
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Community Check Cashing legitimate?
Yes. Community Check Cashing is a registered company, headquartered in 14070 Vanowen St, Valley Glen, CA 91405.
Quick Facts
- Headquarters
- 14070 Vanowen St, Valley Glen, CA 91405
- BBB Accredited
- No
- Starting Price
- Contact provider
- Setup Fee
- None
- Money-Back Guarantee
- No
CreditDoc Diagnosis
Doctor's Verdict 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.
Best For
- 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 2026-04-29
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Financial Wellness Guides
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Read guide →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 must 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 cheapest 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 predatory 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 might only need 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 debt trap: 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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