California remains home to one of the nation’s largest populations of Holocaust survivors. Today, many survivors are in their late 80s, 90s, and beyond, and for some, restitution and reparation payments remain an important source of financial security. For survivors living on fixed incomes, wire transfer or processing fees associated with these payments, however modest they may seem, can create an unnecessary financial burden. These funds represent far more than financial assistance; they are a measure of long-overdue justice, remembrance, and dignity.
In July 2003, then-California State Treasurer Phil Angelides called on financial institutions doing business with the State of California, as well as institutions identified by Bet Tzedek Legal Services as processing Holocaust reparation payments, to voluntarily waive wire transfer and processing fees associated with these payments. More than 100 California financial institutions answered that call.
Today, California State Treasurer Fiona Ma proudly continues this effort and encourages financial institutions across California to reaffirm their commitment to Holocaust survivors by voluntarily waiving fees on reparations and restitution payments.