Travis Credit Union celebrates Juntos Avanzamos designation
VACAVILLE, CA (October 18, 2016) — Travis Credit Union was recently recognized by the National Federation of Community Development Credit Unions and the California Credit Union League with the “Juntos Avanzamos” (Together We Advance) certification – a branding initiative helping credit unions become the preferred financial resource for local organizations serving underserved Hispanic immigrants.
The credit union recently received a $2-million grant from the Department of the Treasury’s Community Development Financial Institutions Fund to help with their successful efforts at transforming the lives of underserved and low-income individuals in the communities it serves.
Dignitaries and community leaders – including California and Nevada Credit Union League’s Senior Vice President of Member Solution Larry Palochik, state Assemblyman Jim Frazier (D-11th District), and National Federation of Community development Credit Unions (Federation) Vice President of Membership and Business Development Pablo DeFilippi, Coopera Consulting Client Relations Director Alba Perez, and Pedro Jimenez, a representative from the Mexican Consulate – attended the September 23 presentation at Travis Credit Union’s headquarters in Vacaville, CA. The event featured a flag-raising ceremony and other activities designed to also celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month.
Attendees were treated to music by Bay-area based premier flamenco guitarist Daniel Fríes. And Grupo Teokalli, which translates to “la casa de la oración” or the house of prayer in the native Aztec language of Nahuatl, opened the celebration performing traditional Aztec dances. The work of artist Hector Villegas – which includes acrylic pieces and high quality, giclėe prints on watercolor paper – was on display at the event. His works have been displayed at El Comalito Collective’s gallery in Vallejo.
“Juntos Avanzamos and CDFI are just two of the designations we use to be inclusive of all our members, as well as to add value to our membership and the communities we serve,” said Barry Nelson, president and CEO of Travis Credit Union.
In 2005, Travis Credit Union recognized that many Hispanic people in the community were underserved, Nav Khanna, executive vice president, said.
While financial institutions may look to prey upon them, he said, they wanted to help.
Travis began partnering with Coopera, and stated working with family resource centers, churches, Head Start programs and Hispanic chambers of commerce. Additionally, they started financial education programs and introduced its bilingual advisory group.
“Travis Credit Union demonstrates that as an industry we can do well by doing good. As a low income designated, CDFI, Junto Avanzamos designated community development credit union, Travis Credit Union has opened up the doors of opportunity to low and moderate income residents across northern California. We salute everyone at Travis Credit Union for their commitment to financial inclusion and to serving the Hispanic community. We look forward to work with Travis CU and the California Credit Union League on expanding access to responsible financial services for all,” said DeFilippi.
Assemblymember Jim Frazier praised “Team Travis” for embracing the Hispanic community. “If they find an unmet need in the community, they step up,” he said. “They have a different way of approaching this work. It’s not predatory, it’s embracing.”
To qualify for a “Juntos Avanzamos” designation, credit unions must demonstrate they have flexible loan underwriting and Customer Identification Program policies, offer affordable credit, savings and transaction services, and make their products, services and financial education accessible to Spanish-speakers.
Headquartered in Vacaville, California, Travis Credit Union is a not-for-profit, cooperative financial institution serving those who live or work in Solano, Yolo, Sacramento, Placer, San Joaquin, Stanislaus, Napa, Contra Costa, Alameda, Sonoma, Colusa, and Merced Counties. Currently, Travis Credit Union is the 13th largest credit union in California, with more than 180,000 members and over $2.8 billion in assets. As one of the leading financial institutions in Solano, Contra Costa, Yolo, Napa, and Merced Counties, Travis Credit Union’s strength lies in its faithful commitment to its members; its solid, secure history; and its long-standing track record of dedicated service.
About Travis Credit Union
Headquartered in Vacaville, California, Travis Credit Union is a not-for-profit cooperative financial institution serving those who live or work in Solano, Yolo, Sacramento, Placer, San Joaquin, Stanislaus, Napa, Contra Costa, Alameda, Sonoma, Colusa, and Merced Counties. Currently, Travis Credit Union is the twelfth largest credit union in California with more than 217,000 members and more than $4.7 billion in assets. As a Community Development Financial Institution, we use our collective resources to support those we serve to become self-sufficient and to prosper, including those in our community with limited access to safe and secure financial services. As one of the premier financial institutions in Solano, Contra Costa, Yolo, and Merced Counties, Travis Credit Union’s strength lies in its faithful commitment to its members, its solid, secure history, and its long-standing track record of dedicated service.
