Inclusiv celebrates largest expansion of Juntos Avanzamos network in three years

Inclusiv announces the largest expansion of the Juntos Avanzamos credit union network since the program went national three years ago. Since January, 11 credit unions have received the prestigious Juntos Avanzamos designation. This new group of Juntos Avanzamos credit unions brings affordable, relevant, bicultural, and bilingual services to over 418,000 consumers in six state and expands the Juntos Avanzamos presence to the state of Idaho.

Juntos Avanzamos designated credit unions now operate in numerous U.S. states, including Arkansas, Oklahoma, and Texas, providing services to almost 6 million consumers through a network of over 700 branches.

Inclusiv and its Juntos Avanzamos network partner with Leagues across the country, including the Cornerstone Credit Union League and welcome Cy-Fair Federal Credit Union, Rocket Federal Credit Union, and TTCU Federal Credit Union among others to their growing network of institutions committed to meeting the needs of Hispanic and immigrant consumers and their adoption of the Juntos Avanzamos framework of financial inclusion.

“The success of the Juntos Avanzamos National Program is the result of a growing coalition of leading credit union organizations that recognize the imperative and opportunity that connecting with the Hispanic market represents for our future and relevance as an industry. This cohort of credit unions has proven their commitment to financial inclusion and adherence to the fundamental principles of the credit union movement. Juntos Avanzamos demonstrates that credit unions can do well by doing good and that mission and margin should go together,” said Pablo DeFilippi, SVP of Membership and Network Engagement at Inclusiv.

“We are elated at the continued growth and expansion of Juntos Avanzamos across the United States,” said Caroline Willard, president/CEO of the Cornerstone Credit Union League. “When we agreed to partner with Inclusiv to expand the program beyond Arkansas, Oklahoma, and Texas, we knew the Juntos Avanzamos program would be appealing to credit unions wanting to serve the Hispanic population with fair and equitable financial services. Part of our mission as credit unions is to meet and serve the needs of the underserved and unserved, and credit unions that embrace Juntos Avanzamos are giving themselves a competitive advantage to other financial services institutions. We are additionally thrilled to see the program continue to grow in the Cornerstone region, including our first Juntos Avanzamos designated credit union in Arkansas. Congratulations to Cy-Fair Federal Credit Union, TTCU Federal Credit Union, and Rocket Federal Credit Union on earning the prestigious Juntos Avanzamos designation and in furthering your commitment to serving your members” said Willard.

The growth of Juntos Avanzamos underlines the increased awareness within our movement about the importance of financial inclusion and the key role Hispanics and immigrants play in the nation’s economy. With the addition of these credit unions, the Juntos Avanzamos network has substantially expanded its reach and capacity to impact the Hispanic and immigrant communities in the United States.

Since the beginning of the year, four credit unions joined their communities in celebrating their Juntos Avanzamos designations by hosting Proclamation Ceremonies. The Juntos Avanzamos Proclamation is a public ceremony, which conveys the message that the credit union is “open for business” and ready to serve and meet the needs of the Hispanic and Immigrant communities. Hope Federal Credit Union, with branches in Tennessee and Arkansas, celebrated its Proclamation Ceremony during the first half of 2019.

About Inclusiv
Inclusiv is a certified CDFI intermediary that transforms local progress into lasting national change. We provide capital, make connections, build capacity, develop innovative products and services, and advocate for our member community development credit unions (CDCUs). Inclusiv members serve over 8 million residents of low-income urban, rural, and reservation-based communities across the U.S. and hold over $99 billion in community-controlled assets. For more information about Inclusiv visit us at Inclusiv.org.

About Juntos Avanzamos
(“Together We Advance”) is a designation for credit unions committed to serving and empowering Hispanic and immigrant consumers—helping them navigate the U.S. financial system and providing safe, affordable, and relevant financial services. Juntos Avanzamos credit unions employ bilingual, culturally-competent staff and leadership, accept alternative forms of ID, and treat all members with respect, regardless of immigration status. The Juntos Avanzamos network is growing quickly; it currently includes 95 credit unions in 26 states, Puerto Rico, and the District of Columbia. Learn more about Juntos Avanzamos at www.juntosavanzamos.org.