Juntos Avanzamos Credit Unions Help Immigrant Families Establish a Solid Foundation

Eduardo is a Cuban immigrant who was struggling to manage the unexpected costs associated with buying a new car. Eduardo's friends referred him to Cooperative Federal, where he was approved for a personal loan to straighten out his finances. Eduardo and his wife, Kenia, also enrolled in the Credit Builder Loan Program. Cooperative Federal’s Loan Processor, Carlos, worked with Eduardo and Kenia to help them get on their feet and better understand the U.S. financial system. “Carlos saved our life,” says Eduardo.

Cooperative Federal is a Juntos Avanzamos credit union. 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; as of March 2018, the network includes 79 credit unions in 20 states, Puerto Rico and the District of Columbia.