SCARBOROUGH, Maine–Responding to an influx of asylum seekers and “new Mainers” in this state, one credit union here held training sessions and workshops on the financial services needs of the immigrant community.
Town & Country FCU partnered with ProsperityME on the sessions it said was designed to better understand and provide financial services to the growing population. The two sessions were led by Claude Rwaganje, executive director of ProsperityME, at the credit union’s Operations Center.
“We have a long history of providing immigrants with financial services but, as we grow and welcome new staff, educating them on the unique challenges, obstacles and needs around financial services that asylum seekers and immigrants face has taken on added importance,” said CEO David Libby. “In light of recent events, the timing of this training is critical, and will be helpful as we look for ways we can support and serve people that speak different languages, and have different life experiences with financial services. Through this training, our branch managers and frontline staff will be better equipped to provide financial services and lending assistance to apply for a visa, citizenship, security deposits for housing, and other needs.
‘Invaluable to Hear’
“It was invaluable for our staff to hear about what we can do to work with new Mainers to meet their financial services’ needs,” Libby continued. “We will continue to be proactive in exploring new and creative ways that we can provide financial services to the immigrant community.”
Added Jon Paradise, VP-public relations and communications with Town & Country and who also serves on the board of ProsperityME, noted, “Claude’s experience as an immigrant himself from a country that had a cash-based economy to a country with a bank-based system is invaluable to help our staff understand how we can help. He knows what they are going through, and can help give our staff more tools and resources to remove barriers when it comes to providing financial services to immigrants.”
Building Trust is ‘Critical’
According to Rwaganje, building trust “is a critical piece of creating relationships with new Mainers. Many of these people are coming from countries where a financial institution was not to be trusted and they bring those preconceptions with them. That’s when outreach, financial counseling and coaching can play such an important role in helping to connect with new Mainers. Understanding a client’s needs and values can go a long way to building a lasting relationship.”
In addition to the financial services training, employees of Town & Country also spent time volunteering at Wayside Soup Kitchen to prepare meals being served to asylum seekers at the Expo.