SAN JOSÉ, Calif.– Excite Credit Union said it has received the Juntos Avanzamos (Together We Advance) designation from Inclusiv for serving and empowering the Hispanic community.
“More than one-quarter of Santa Clara County residents are Hispanic, and many of them don’t have access to essential financial services,” said Brian Dorcy, president and CEO of Excite. “Excite is proud to be part of the community, and our mission has always been to provide affordable, trustworthy banking services to those who need them. Receiving the Juntos Avanzamos recognition from Inclusiv is a validation of the value we provide to our LatinX neighbors.”
The Juntos Avanzamos designation is specifically for credit unions assisting the Hispanic community with safe, affordable, and relevant financial services, the credit union noted.
‘Essential to Prosperity’
“Access to relevant products and financial services for the Hispanic community, including accounts, consumer, business, and home loans, is essential for the prosperity and growth of everyone in the community,” said Rene Vargas Martinez, director of the Juntos Avanzamos program for Inclusiv. “The Juntos Avanzamos designation is a financial inclusion framework for credit unions that are committed to serving and empowering Hispanic and immigrant communities. Credit unions that join the program are committed to removing barriers to the financial inclusion of all communities. Hiring bilingual staff, accepting alternative forms of ID at account opening, offering relevant products and services, including for members with ITINs, and treating members with dignity and respect, regardless of their immigration status.”
Excite said it is the first credit union to receive the Juntos Avanzamos in Santa Clara County, and is also the only credit union based in the county to have CDFI certification.
More Than Half are Low Income
More than 50% of Excite CU members are low-to-moderate income, reflecting Excite’s focus on financial education and access to those who are traditionally underbanked.
Excite Credit Union was presented with its Juntos Avanzamos award at the formal opening of its Quetzal Gardens branch, a mixed-use development project built by Resources for Community Development that is providing 71 affordable housing apartments.
Excite occupies the ground floor along with the Latino Business Foundation Silicon Valley (LBFSV) and SOMOS Mayfair.