DES MOINES — The Juntos Avanzamos (Spanish for, "Together We Advance") program now is available in Iowa, home state of consulting firm Coopera.
According to Miriam De Dios, CEO of Coopera, the growing Hispanic segment of Iowa's population often does not have access to responsible and affordable financial products and services.
Juntos Avanzamos is a designation that is earned by demonstrating the CU is "truly friendly" to the Hispanic community. It also tells the community the credit union is ready and willing to serve its Hispanic members. After CUs receive the Juntos Avanzamos designation they are recognized by the National Federation of Community Development Credit Unions and a Juntos Avanzamos flag flown at the credit union.
"Consistent with the credit union philosophy of 'people helping people,' Juntos Avanzamos is an outreach program helping Hispanic and immigrant consumers understand the U.S. financial system, as well as providing affordable, relevant and dignified financial services," De Dios said in a statement. "Growing up in an unbanked household, I understand intimately the needs of the financially underserved Hispanic community. The affordable products and personal service credit unions provide have the potential to be life changing for several generations of both foreign and U.S.-born Hispanics."
Iowa has an estimated 174,000 Hispanic consumers. Hispanics are the state's youngest and largest ethnic minority. They constitute 5.6% Iowa's total population today and are predicted to make up 13% by 2050.
The Juntos Avanzamos program has run successfully in three states for 10 years. Coopera partnered with the Federation to expand the program nationally and is working with the Iowa Credit Union League to bring the program to credit unions across Iowa.
Murray Williams, chief operating officer of the Iowa CU League, said, "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. This impact is critical for the success of Hispanic families in our state, and Coopera is at the forefront of these efforts."
"We welcome the participation of the Iowa Credit Union League in this initiative that seeks to increase financial inclusion opportunities for the growing Hispanic community," said Pablo DeFilippi, the Federation's EVP of membership and development services. "Juntos Avanzamos is an effective platform for helping position credit unions as the natural choice for Hispanics and immigrant consumers."
Juntos Avanzamos was developed by the Cornerstone Credit Union League, which represents Arkansas, Oklahoma and Texas. Today, more than 40 credit unions across the country are Juntos Avanzamos credit unions. Most are located in California, Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico and Texas.
Iowa credit unions interested in applying for the Juntos Avanzamos designation are invited to contact De Dios at
Credit union leaders who want to learn more about the program are invited to attend a webinar Tuesday, Feb. 16 at 10 a.m. Central Standard time. Online registration is available at
Coopera (ko-pair-a) is a full-service Hispanic market solutions company for credit unions nationwide. Coopera has dedicated bicultural and bilingual personnel who work closely with clients to assess their needs and create growth strategies designed to increase Hispanic membership, revenue growth and loan volume.
