Beyond ITIN Lending
Thursday, October 14, 2:00 PM ET
ITIN lending is a proven tool for financial inclusion, opening the doors of affordable financial services for everyone, regardless of who they are and where they come from. Being able to offer loans to everyone is a fundamental part of any financial inclusion initiative. Nevertheless, ITIN lending is only a cog in a comprehensive framework that should include diversity, bilingual and bicultural staff, institutional buy in, alternate forms of ID, income verification and fair pricing.
As more credit unions launch ITIN lending programs, Inclusiv believes that a holistic approach to financial inclusion is vital, not only for the members that need our services, but also for these initiatives to be successful and generate growth for the credit union. Join our experienced speakers for a discussion about ITIN in the context of a vibrant financial inclusion and Hispanic outreach initiative.
Please submit questions for panel members in advance to René A. Vargas Martínez, Senior Program Officer, at rvargasmartinez@inclusiv.org.
Featured Speakers:
Richard Romero, as the leader of one of the oldest credit unions in Seattle has placed a focus on leading an organization that focuses on making sure EVERYONE prospers and not just those with easy access to financial services. Over recent years, he has led his organization into areas that focus on populations that are mostly ignored by financial institutions by becoming a CDFI, LDI and Juntos Avanzamos Credit Union. Additionally, Seattle Credit Union has led the way in creating products such as Citizenship Loans, ITIN Real Estate Loans and ITIN auto and personal loans, as well as low down payment loans that assist home buyers in affording housing. In his six years on the Board of Directors at Inclusiv, he has been able to lend his experience and passion to ensure that Community Development Credit Unions have the resources to serve underserved communities.
Rosa Franco, Director of Lending and Development at Neighborhood Trust Federal Credit Union since 2011, built her career in economic development and financial inclusion. Rosa oversees the loan portfolio that includes consumer and homeownership lending programs and small business and commercial loan programs. As part of her development role, Rosa participates in the design, implementation, and monitoring of strategies that help the organization expand and retain members and grow the loan portfolio. Her experience in microfinance and small business sector promotion includes work with local communities in urban and rural areas of Latin American countries. This experience helped her understand many of the challenges faced by immigrants and low and middle-income communities in the United States.
John Wilkening, Chief Retail Officer of Notre Dame Federal Credit Union graduated from Indiana State University with a Bachelor of Science in Communication and Public Relations. In 1998, John completed the University of Notre Dame Stanford Executive Banking Program. Over his 25 years in banking, John assumed leadership roles everywhere he has served. Upon arrival at Notre Dame Federal Credit Union as the Chief Retail Officer, he credit union doubled its loan volume in his first nine months and the growth continues.