SOUTH BEND, Ind.–Notre Dame Federal Credit Union celebrated becoming the first Indiana credit union to be awarded the prestigious national Juntos Avanzamos designation by Inclusiv. The Juntos Avanzamos designation is awarded to credit unions that are committed to serving Hispanic and immigrant communities by providing education and services that improve financial well-being.
In recognition of the honor, community members, Notre Dame FCU employees, Inclusiv executives, and South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg gathered in the Martin’s Community Kitchen at the Martin’s Super Market on Mayflower Road for a proclamation ceremony and celebration catered by Notre Dame FCU business member Puerto Vallarta.
Opening remarks were delivered by Notre Dame FCU President and CEO Tom Gryp, and by Chief Retail Officer John Wilkening, both of which accepted the Juntos Avanzamos flag from the Inclusiv Senior Vice President of Membership and Network Engagement Pablo DeFilippi.
“Our commitment to serve Michiana, includes everyone, not just the wealthy and financially comfortable,” said Gryp. “This very important designation and national recognition reinforces even further our efforts to serve the underserved and those living paycheck to paycheck.”
Notre Dame FCU launched a new marketing campaign on national Citizenships Day to celebrate the designation and to convey that it is “Doing More than Just Speaking the Language.”
After presenting the Juntos Avanzamos flag, Inclusiv’s DeFilippi said, “On behalf of the network of Juntos Avanzamos credit unions, Inclusiv congratulates Notre Dame Federal Credit Union for their leadership in promoting financial inclusion for the Latino community. We’re pleased to announce that Notre Dame Federal Credit Union is the first credit union in the state of Indiana to receive the Juntos Avanzamos designation. We salute your vision and commitment and welcome you to our growing family of credit unions opening the door of opportunity to immigrants and Hispanics.”
At the end of the ceremony, Notre Dame FCU board member Freddie Thon was honored for his dedication to Notre Dame FCU’s intentional decision to serve the Hispanic and immigrant communities. Thon was a key catalyst in the credit union opening its first fully bilingual branch in the West Side of South Bend in 2003 perpetuating its success since then, the credit union said.