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Orange County’s Credit Union receives CDFI Certification with CU Strategic Planning

TACOMA, WA (October 6, 2020)Orange County’s Credit Union, a $2 billion credit union based in Santa Ana, Calif.,  will be able to make an even more meaningful impact on its field of membership now that it has been certified as a Community Development Financial Institution by the Treasury Department. CU Strategic Planning, which recently announced its clients earned nearly half of all the CDFI grants awarded to credit unions this year, guided Orange County’s CU along this journey.

“We are honored to have received CDFI certification,” said Shruti Miyashiro, CEO of Orange County’s Credit Union. “As a CDFI, we will be able to significantly expand our commitment of providing fair, affordable and accessible services that address challenges faced by low-income families and communities.”

In total, 61% of Orange County’s CU’s membership qualifies as being at least low-income. More than half, 55%, are considered very low income, while 21% are extremely low-income, based upon sample testing of the credit union’s loans performed to submit with the certification application.

“We are very excited to see what Orange County’s Credit Union will achieve with their new CDFI certification!” CU Strategic Planning Director of Certification Carrie Ostrem commented. “The team there was amazing to work with and truly believed with a passion in their community development goals. CU Strategic Planning loves working with our credit union clients to help them unlock the potential in their communities.”

“CU Strategic Planning have been valued advisers throughout the entire certification process,” Amber Cisneros, Chief Member Experience Officer for Orange County’s Credit Union, said. “We appreciate the collaboration and guidance they’ve provided to ensure we could receive CDFI certification.” The credit union plans to apply for grant funding in 2021 to continue assisting local communities.


About CU Strategic Planning

Since 2008, CU Strategic Planning has provided business planning services for credit unions, focusing on community development. The company is the No. 1 CDFI certification, grant-writing and compliance firm for credit unions in the country. Through grants, strategic and tactical planning, community summit facilitation and more, CU Strategic Planning achieves its mission to unlock opportunities for credit unions to change lives and their communities. CU Strategic Planning’s expert consulting includes securing and managing compliance for $945 million in US Treasury CDFI grants and related award funding.

About Orange County’s Credit Union

Orange County’s Credit Union is a Santa Ana-based financial services provider established in 1938 with more than 117,000 Members. As a not-for-profit financial services provider exceeding $2 billion in assets, Orange County’s Credit Union is owned by Members, not shareholders, which means its profits are returned to Members in the form of fewer fees, lower loan rates, and enhanced products and services. Orange County’s Credit Union offers services including checking and savings, mobile banking, and retirement accounts, as well as auto, small business, and home loans with mortgage offerings including Zero Down and 3% Down options. Ranked in the top three percent of credit unions nationwide based on assets, Orange County’s Credit Union offers Membership to anyone who lives or works in Orange, Los Angeles, Riverside, and San Bernardino Counties. For more information, visit Orange County’s Credit Union’s website at www.orangecountyscu.org, or call (888) 354-6228.

Contacts

Sarah Snell Cooke
sarah@cookeconsultingsolutions.com

 

 

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