By Ruben H. Torres
El Paso is not merely a U.S. border city. It’s one of the nation’s most unique and internationally integrated economic hubs. Its binational and bicultural identity fosters a local business ecosystem which is globally oriented and culturally adaptable.
With a population that is more than 80% Hispanic and widely bilingual, El Paso is a strong model for cross-cultural commerce. From major manufacturing and logistics centers to the presence of Fort Bliss, the city has a unique environment where international trade and cultural exchange regularly intersect.
Bank of America’s footprint in El Paso has grown through tailored initiatives that not only strengthen our city’s economic mobility but also position the Borderplex for future success. Throughout 2025, Bank of America’s support focused on educational opportunities and philanthropic giving. Here’s how we did this in 2025:
- Global insights to binational city: As part of its commitment to responsible growth, Bank of America El Paso hosted a chief investment office panel discussion on the global markets and the economic trends that highlighted key investment themes for 2026. Merrill Wealth Management advisers and investment officers spoke on the potential direction of interest rates and how businesses can adapt their portfolios to grow their investments in the new year.
- Practice solutions: Bank of America hosted events to educate clients and graduates of Texas Tech Health El Paso on the power of practice solutions. Events featured medical financial specialists from Bank of America El Paso, Veterinary Practice Transitions and Patterson Veterinary Supply, that focused on providing insights on how to start, grow and succeed in health care ownership for veterinary and medical practice business owners in El Paso.
- Hunger relief: In November, Bank of America El Paso delivered $30,000 to organizations in the Borderland working to address food insecurity locally. El Pasoans Fighting Hunger and Casa de Peregrinos, in Las Cruces, each received $15,000 as part of the bank’s $250 million commitment to address hunger across the country.
- Financial literacy in financial centers: With a key focus on financial literacy, each month of 2025, Bank of America’s eight El Paso financial centers partnered with local schools and nonprofit organizations to deliver uniquely tailored financial classes using the Better Money Habits program at no cost to attendees. Bankers hosted BMHS classes to students of the career and technical education health care classes in partnership with Workforce Solutions Borderplex and the El Paso Independent School District, along with students of TTHEP and interns of the Paso del Norte internship program.
- Local grants and philanthropy: Bank of America supported 10 local organizations through grant funding for their efforts to advance workforce development, support basic needs and empower communities in El Paso and Las Cruces. Additionally, Tech Frontier was named Bank of America’s 2025 Neighborhood Builder for its work advancing digital skilling, STEM education and workforce readiness across the region. Since 2004, Bank of America’s Neighborhood Builders program has invested more than $346 million in communities across the U.S. and trained more than 4,000 leaders at nearly 2,000 U.S. nonprofits.
We ask our clients, teammates, and community partners, “What would you like the power to do?” Listening to their answers drives our actions — helping us serve not only as a reliable corporate partner, but also as a meaningful steward of the community, providing support where it’s needed most and helping our clients grow and improve their financial lives.
This year’s initiatives reflect Bank of America’s efforts to address critical issues in El Paso by partnering with community leaders and organizations to support local entrepreneurs, build job skills, provide basic needs and create opportunities to help people succeed today and in the future.
Ruben H. Torres is president of Bank of America El Paso.
The post Opinion: Economic investment, financial education help shape El Paso’s future appeared first on El Paso Matters.
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