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Agencies Aim to Double the Number of CDFI Credit Unions in 2016
January 21, 2016
Alexandria, VA – The National Credit Union
Administration and the U.S. Treasury Department’s Community Development
Financial Institutions Fund today signed an agreement that will streamline the
application process for low-income credit unions to become certified as Community
Development Financial Institutions.
Credit
unions that obtain CDFI certification can access training and competitive award
programs provided by the CDFI Fund, and these resources can aid these
institutions’ capacity to provide underserved communities with access to safe
and affordable financial services.
“This Memorandum
of Understanding opens up enormous possibilities for credit unions,” NCUA Board
Chairman Debbie Matz said. “By facilitating the CDFI application process and,
ultimately, increasing the number of
certified CDFI credit unions, we’re laying the foundation for greater access to
affordable financial services and more investment in local communities. This
will help credit unions better serve members and communities that have been
difficult to reach, and that will help more people build wealth and more secure
financial futures for themselves and their families."
 “CDFIs nationwide are making a real difference in low-income communities by providing consumers with safe and affordable financial services and by providing neighborhood businesses with access to capital,” CDFI Fund Director Annie Donovan said. “Many low-income credit unions are already performing this important work, but need more support. By partnering with NCUA to increase the number of credit unions certified as CDFIs, we will not only expand access to the CDFI Fund’s programs but also reach more unbanked and underbanked individuals.”
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“We’re looking forward to helping more credit unions become certified as Community Development Financial Institutions,” said William Myers, Director of NCUA’s Office of Small Credit Union Initiatives. “We’re going to be able to help credit unions save time and money in the certification process and bring more recognition to what credit unions do so well.”
Today’s action launches a plan with a goal of doubling the number of certified CDFI credit unions by the end of 2016. Increasing the number of certified CDFI credit unions could significantly expand funding that can be used to offer financial services to underbanked low-income individuals and make investments in local businesses, affordable housing, and community facilities.
There are currently 295 credit unions certified as CDFIs. The majority of these also hold NCUA’s low-income credit union designation.
About NCUA
NCUA is the independent federal agency created by the U.S.
Congress to regulate, charter and supervise federal credit unions. With the
backing of the full faith and credit of the United States, NCUA operates and
manages the National Credit Union Share Insurance Fund, insuring the deposits
of more than 102 million account holders in all federal credit unions and the
overwhelming majority of state-chartered credit unions. At MyCreditUnion.gov
and Pocket Cents,
NCUA also educates the public on consumer protection and financial literacy
issues.
About the CDFI Fund
The CDFI Fund was created for the purpose of promoting
economic revitalization and community development through investment in and
assistance to Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs). Since its
creation, the CDFI Fund has awarded over $2 billion to community development
organizations and financial institutions; has awarded allocations of New
Markets Tax Credits which will attract private-sector investments totaling
$43.5 billion, including $1 billion of special allocation authority to be used
for the recovery and redevelopment of the Gulf Opportunity Zone; and has
guaranteed $852 million in bonds.
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