Illinois Credit Union League proud to partner with Juntos Avanzamos

Illinois Credit Union League proud to partner with Juntos Avanzamos

Illiana FCU's Juntos Avanzamos Proclamation Celebration on Oct 27, 2017

NEW YORK, NY (October 19, 2017) — It is with great enthusiasm that the Illinois Credit Union League officially announces its partnership with the National Federation of Community Development Credit Unions and Juntos Avanzamos (Together we Advance), a prestigious designation for credit unions committed to assisting and uplifting Hispanic consumers within their community.

“ICUL is excited to partner with the National Federation of Community Development Credit Unions to promote Juntos Avanzamos in order to better serve and empower the growing Hispanic population,” said Illinois Credit Union League President/CEO Tom Kane.  “We strongly believe this program will help our credit unions provide value to an underserved community and fulfill our collective goal of helping people achieve financial independence.”

Illiana Financial Credit Union’s Chicago Heights branch is the most recent Illinois credit union to receive the Juntos Avanzamos designation. Illiana celebrated this accomplishment with a well-attended Proclamation Celebration on September 27, 2017. Those in attendance included the Mayor of Chicago Heights, David Gonzalez, and Illinois Credit Union League President/CEO, Tom Kane.

“Chicago Heights is a city whose roots grew from the many immigrants who made their home here to be closer to the developing steel industry,” said Mayor Gonzalez. “We are a city that has always celebrated our diversity, and we are a reflection of the generations of Mexican, Italian, Irish, Polish, and African-Americans who settled here in Chicago Heights…This national designation acknowledges a commitment to better serve our Hispanic residents and provide financial education, products and services to this vital group within our city.”

For more information on the Juntos Avanzamos designation, please contact Joni Senkpeil of the Illinois Credit Union League at 630-983-2723.

About the National Federation of Community Development Credit Unions

The National Federation of Community Development Credit Unions is a certified CDFI intermediary representing community development credit unions (CDCUs). The Federation's member CDCUs provide credit, savings, transaction services and financial education to more than 7 million residents of low- and moderate-income urban, rural and reservation-based communities across the US, and hold over $70 billion in community-controlled assets. Founded in 1974, the Federation is headquartered in Lower Manhattan with offices in Madison, WI. The Federation offers a wide range of advocacy, educational, training, investment, marketing, and outreach programs to support and assist CDCUs. For more information about the Federation and its programs, visit www.inclusiv.org.

About Juntos Avanzamos

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 of their members with respect, regardless of immigration status. The National Federation of Community Development Credit Unions is leading the national expansion of Juntos Avanzamos, in partnership with the Network of Latino Credit Unions and Professionals (NLCUP); Coopera, Iowa-based consultants to the credit union industry on the Hispanic market; Cornerstone Credit Union League, and a growing number of state leagues and associations across the country. First developed by the Cornerstone Credit Union League as a Hispanic outreach program in Texas, the number of Juntos Avanzamos credit unions is expanding rapidly; today the network includes 74 credit unions in 20 states and the District of Columbia. Learn more about Juntos Avanzamos at www.inclusiv.org/juntosavanzamos.