Immigrants are a large and vibrant part of the US economy and a key market in the low- and moderate-income communities that CDCUs serve. However, in many communities, immigrants remain largely unbanked and vulnerable to predatory financial service providers. Inclusiv is working with CDCUs to meet the tremendous demand in the immigrant market and to demonstrate that serving immigrant populations is both a sustainable business strategy and vital to fulfilling CDCUs’ collective goal of helping people of modest means achieve financial independence.
Juntos Avanzamos – Together We Advance – is a designation for credit unions committed to serving and empowering Hispanic consumers. Juntos Avanzamos was developed by the Cornerstone Credit Union League as an Hispanic outreach program in Texas. The Inclusiv 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. Juntos Avanzamos provides a framework for the delivery of products and services relevant to the Hispanic community in general and the immigrant population in particular. Click here for a directory of Juntos Avanzamos credit unions.
Financial Inclusion for Immigrant Consumers is a national campaign to link unbanked and underbanked immigrants in the US with credit union products and services for immigration and legalization expenses. Roundtables have been held in Los Angeles, New York, Dallas and Tampa Bay. Click here for roundtable programs, presentations, blog and photos.
The Northwest Area Immigrant Asset-Building Initiative, a project co-managed by Inclusiv with GCIR, is designed to connect low-income immigrants to safe and affordable financial products and quality immigration services. Click here for the Initiative toolkit.
Inclusiv provides specialized technical assistance and consulting services to help credit unions to better understand local immigrant markets and to offer appropriate financial products and services ranging from savings accounts, to credit builder loans, to DREAMer and citizenship loans. We are also working with national partners, including Coopera and Grantmakers Concerned with Immigrants and Refugees (GCIR), to share information on best practices for serving the immigrant market and to connect CDCUs with local organizations that provide social and legal services to immigrant communities.