Tri Counties Bank's VITA Program Delivers $1.3M in Refunds to Low-Income Californians — Tri Counties Bank

Event summary

Tri Counties Bank's 2026 VITA program helped 600+ low-income families secure $1.3M in tax refunds across 10 California counties.
The bank hosted VITA services at 15 branches and funded additional community locations, offering assistance in English and Spanish.
This marks Tri Counties Bank's third consecutive year participating in the IRS VITA program, saving families an estimated $282,600 in tax preparation fees.
Tri Counties Bank is a wholly-owned subsidiary of TriCo Bancshares (NASDAQ: TCBK) with $10B in assets and 75 locations in California.

The big picture

Tri Counties Bank's continued investment in the IRS VITA program underscores a strategic focus on financial inclusion and community engagement, aligning with broader industry trends toward socially responsible banking. With $10B in assets and a extensive branch network, the bank leverages its scale to address critical gaps in tax preparation services for low-income Californians. This initiative also positions the bank favorably amid increasing regulatory and consumer expectations for corporate social responsibility in the financial sector.

What we're watching

Program Expansion: Whether Tri Counties Bank can sustain or grow its VITA program participation beyond three consecutive years.
Community Impact: The long-term financial behavior changes among low-income families benefiting from the VITA program.
Regulatory Alignment: How the bank balances IRS VITA program requirements with its own operational and strategic goals.