TALLAHASSEE, Fla./BIRMINGHAM, Ala.–The League of Southeastern Credit Unions and Affiliates said it has joined with the National Federation of CDCUs to support the Juntos Avanzamos (Together We Advance) program. The goal of Juntos Avanzamos is to empower U.S. born and immigrant Hispanics.
Juntos Avanzamos was developed by the Cornerstone Credit Union League as a Hispanic outreach program in Texas. Today, the Federation said it is leading the national expansion of Juntos Avanzamos in partnership with Coopera, the Network of Latino Credit Unions and Professionals (NLCUP), Cornerstone Credit Union League, California and Nevada Credit Union Leagues, Credit Union Association of New Mexico, Iowa Credit Union League, Mountain West Credit Union Association, and Northwest Credit Union Association.
The network of Juntos Avanzamos credit unions now numbers 70, with Seattle Metropolitan Credit Union celebrating their designation earlier this month. To receive the Juntos Avanzamos designation, credit unions must demonstrate a strategic plan for improving service to Hispanics, offer bilingual services and information, collaborate with community organizations that support Hispanics, offer affordable products and services relevant to the immigrant consumer, and offer financial education in Spanish and English.
"Joining this important movement advances the 'people helping people' philosophy that is the foundation of credit unions," said LSCU president/CEO Patrick La Pine in a statement. "This program unites us in helping an underserved part of our population to establish themselves financially. It's a win-win for everyone, including our league, our credit unions, and our expanding membership."
Added Pablo DeFilippi, Federation senior vice president of membership and network engagement, "Hispanic immigrants contribute to our local economies by paying taxes, establishing small businesses and creating jobs. With their tradition of service, credit unions can help unbanked and underbanked Hispanic consumers build assets toward a more secure economic future for themselves and all Americans. Plus credit unions that are investing in serving their Hispanic communities are reporting faster loan and membership growth.”