COMMUNITY 1ST CU RECEIVES NATIONAL JUNTOS AVANZAMOS DESIGNATION
Community 1st Credit Union
Ottumwa, Iowa – On February 5th, Community 1st Credit Union, based in Ottumwa, Iowa received the Juntos Avanzamos (Together We Advance) designation in a national rollout.
The Juntos Avanzamos program originated in November of 2005 at the Texas Credit Union League (which recently merged with other regional leagues to form the Cornerstone Credit Union League) as an immigrant outreach program designed to help credit unions attract and serve the growing Hispanic market in Texas.
Community 1st Credit Union’s designation is one of 11 outside of the Cornerstone Credit Union League (Cornerstone League). The Cornerstone League, the National Federation of Community Development Credit Unions (Federation) and Coopera, a full-service Hispanic market solutions company with specific focus on credit unions nationwide, have been working together to foster a collaborative effort to bring this program to a national credit union audience. The program will initially focus on the southwest and Iowa, where it will be promoted and supported by the California/Nevada Credit Union Leagues, the Credit Union Association of New Mexico, the Mountain West Credit Union Association and the Iowa Credit Union League.
In order to earn the prestigious Juntos Avanzamos designation, credit unions must complete an extensive application to determine the credit union’s “capacity to serve”, requiring information about what products and services the credit union offers to specifically address the needs of the Hispanic market, as well as what strategies they are utilizing to serve this important demographic group.
“Community 1st Credit Union is humbled to be a part of this effort by the Cornerstone League and now taken national jointly with the Federation and Coopera. As a low income designated credit union, this Juntos Avanzamos designation highlights our commitment to financially underserved populations. Our mission is to empower our members through financial inclusion. Juntos Avanzamos means Together We Advance, and for Community 1st Credit Union, we are delighted to demonstrate a commitment to all our members.” explained Jeff Rose, President & CEO of Community 1st Credit Union.
“We are excited to have Community 1st Credit Union be the first Juntos Avanzamos designated credit union in Iowa. Iowa credit unions provide members with a safe place to save their money, while offering the opportunity to build credit and be on the path to financial security. Homeownership, education levels and income all increase when a community has access to
dignified financial services. Community 1st’s impact is critical for the success of Hispanic families in our state.” said ICUL COO Murray Williams.
The Juntos celebration is planned for Thursday, May 5, 2016 at 5:30pm at the Community 1st Credit Union located at 235 Richmond Avenue in Ottumwa, IA. The agenda will include Mariachi musical numbers and special guests include Miriam De Dios with Coopera, Mexican Consulate and local community leaders.
Community 1st Credit Union is a not-for-profit financial cooperative with more than $572 million in assets. The credit union, established in 1936, serves more than 55,000 members.
C1st has more than 200 employees and is headquartered in Ottumwa. The credit union has branches in Albia, Amana, Bloomfield, Cedar Rapids, Centerville, Chariton, Fairfield, Grinnell, Indianola, Mount Pleasant, Oskaloosa, Ottumwa, Pella and Washington.
For more information, call 866-360-5370 or visit c1stcu.com.
