The First Step to Financial Power? Ask Questions, Says Belinda Silva
- Apr 16
- 2 min read
For many Latinos, money is a private topic, sometimes even an uncomfortable one, especially when it comes to asking for help. Belinda Silva wants to change that. As a consumer area manager at Bank of Oklahoma, she has spent years helping Latinos make informed financial decisions. But beyond offering guidance, she’s working to change the mindset that keeps many from seeking financial resources in the first place: the fear of asking questions or admitting what they don’t know.
Finding Purpose
Seven years ago, Silva moved from California to Tulsa with her husband and daughter to be closer to their family. What she found was a Latino community that shared a common hesitation toward banking. She made it her mission to change that.
“I know what it’s like to be in my clients’ shoes,” she says. “Sometimes they need someone at the bank they can trust, and I strive to be that person.”
But for Silva, financial empowerment isn’t just about being a familiar face, it’s about being active in the community. Therefore, she became more than just a banker, she strived to become a trusted voice.
Not only did she help develop Bank of Oklahoma’s Hispanic/Latino strategy to expand financial access, but she also serves as a bridge in the community. She partners with organizations like UMA Tulsa and the Tulsa Latin American Chamber of Commerce, connecting Latino families and small business owners with financial education, business mentorship, and access to capital.
Silva understands that simply expanding access isn’t enough; it's also important for people to feel comfortable reaching out for help in the first place.
The Power of Asking Questions
Many Latinos still hesitate to even step into a bank for fear of looking uninformed, therefore Silva works to shift that mindset, and actively encourages clients to rely on their bankers.
“Whenever there’s a big financial decision, I tell my clients: go to your banker first,” she says. “If you’re thinking about buying a house, go to your banker and start asking questions. If you’re thinking about trading in your car, do the same. The first step should always be understanding your financial options—not walking into, say, a dealership or applying blindly for a loan.”
She wants Latinos to see banks as partners. Whether they need to understand loan qualifications, learn how to set up a savings plan, or look for funding for a business, she encourages them to be proactive about getting the information they need.
Taking Control
The financial system can feel overwhelming, but it isn’t off-limits to those willing to ask the right questions. And while building a strong financial foundation takes time, it starts with a single step.
“People don’t realize how much power they have over their financial future,” Silva says. “They just need to take the first step and get over their shame of not knowing all the answers. That’s how everything starts.”
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