ALEXANDRIA, Va. –The National Credit Union Administration has awarded $2 million in grants it said will help 203 low-income credit unions improve digital services and security, increase outreach to underserved communities, and train employees.
Grant awards ranging from $1,300 to $20,000 were made to credit unions in 42 states and the District of Columbia. Forty-four credit unions are first-time grant recipients. Twenty-eight are minority depository institutions. A total of 243 credit unions made grant requests of $2.5 million in this year’s grant round, NCUA said.
“These are investments in fundamentals: protecting credit unions and their members, expanding access to affordable financial services, and building human capital,” NCUA Board Chairman J. Mark McWatters said. “In particular, helping credit unions detect and defend against cyberattacks is essential to keeping members safe and the financial system secure.”
NCUA made awards in three categories:
- Digital services and security: 141 grants totaling $1,251,670
- Leadership development: 40 grants totaling $350,760
- Underserved outreach: 22 grants totaling $397,570
NCUA’s Office of Credit Union Resources and Expansion administers grant funding provided by the Community Development Revolving Loan Fund, which offers grants and loans to credit unions serving low-income communities. Since 2001, Congress has provided the NCUA with $20.8 million for these grants.