(Note: the following information provided with the assistance of CUNA.)
CUNA announced this week that Latino Community CU won the national Desjardins Adult Financial Education Award in its asset category for its video series aimed at helping members understand how the US financial system works. Latino was one of ten credit unions nationwide to receive the Desjardins award, and one of five to win the first-ever adult financial education award.
The Desjardins Awards are named for Alphonse Desjardins, the founder of the North American credit union movement, and honors credit unions for their commitment to youth and adult financial literacy.
“We congratulate this year’s winners and honorable mentions for their admirable work educating youth and adults about financial education skills,” says Vikki Kinsler, CUNA’s program coordinator for the Desjardins Awards. “Credit unions, chapters and leagues from more than 30 states applied for the award, which shows the movement’s increasing commitment to this type of service for members.”
CUNA added the Desjardins Adult Financial Education Award in 2011 to its well-established Youth Award to recognize credit unions’ efforts to teach personal finance concepts and skills to members and non-members age 18 and older. This change brings all personal finance education activities under the Desjardins name, including the award for leagues. CUNA received 30 entries in the Adult category in addition to the 55 entries received for the Desjardins Youth Financial Education Award.
"For many years, Latino Community Credit Union has been a national leader in providing financial education to its members in new & innovative ways," said NCCUL President/CEO John Radebaugh. "This award further cements the credit union's leadership in this key area of credit union service."
“Part of the mission of credit unions is to promote thrift among our members,” says Bill Cheney, President and CEO of CUNA. “Financial education is a key component of accomplishing this mission–it’s good for the members and differentiates credit unions from other financial institutions.”