Faces of UNC Asheville

Esteve Coll-Larrosa

Hispanics moving to the United States face a number of challenges when it comes to the financial system, but that doesn’t mean they are not an important part of the U.S. economy, according to Esteve Coll-Larrosa (class of 2001). Coll-Larrosa works at United Services Credit Union in Asheville, where his job is to help develop stronger ties between the company and the local Hispanic community.

“It is well known that it is a community that makes money, that saves money and that spends money,” he said. “These three things are what financial institutions want to see happen.”

Coll-Larrosa works closely with the Latina Advocacy Coalition and other local organizations to help educate Hispanics about personal finance. He regularly gives lectures on topics ranging from balancing a checking account to negotiating with a dealer when purchasing a vehicle. These are topics that any American can benefit from, Coll-Larrosa said. In addition, his company employs several bilingual staff members to help community members overcome the language barrier.

Coll-Larrosa, who majored in economics, said since the financial meltdown last year the number of requests his company has received for financial seminars has increased. While lending may have slowed all across the country, people seem to be eager to save more, which is a good thing, Coll-Larrosa said.

Originally from Spain, Coll-Larrosa said UNC Asheville’s intimate learning experience was instrumental to his success in college. “Having your classroom next to the professor’s office and knowing that there is a communication line always open really helps to create a small-university feeling,” he said.