Gonzalez Hails Illiana Financial, Hispanic Credit Advocate Group Partnership

(Chicago Heights, IL) – A new local partnership, sealed at a ceremony last week between a suburban-based credit union and a nationwide Hispanic credit advocate group committed to advocating for credit union services tailored to the Hispanic community, drew praise from City of Chicago Heights Mayor David Gonzalez.

“We recognize and celebrate the partnership with Illinois Financial and Juntos Avanzamos to provide financial services and education to the Hispanic community,” said Gonzalez at the event held at the Illiana Financial’s Chicago Heights office on September 27. “This national designation acknowledges a commitment to better serve our Hispanic residents and provide financial education, products, and services to this vital group within our city.”

The 77-year old Illiana Financial Credit Union, which has four locations in Illinois, including Chicago Heights, and serves close to 25,000 members, earned recognition from Juntos Avanzamos ( Together We Advance) for its demonstrated capacity to serve the local Hispanic community in Chicago Heights, a capacity that includes staffing with bilingual tellers, maintaining a physical presence in the local Hispanic community, and providing access to affordable credit.

Juntos Avanzamos, a national Hispanic outreach program, was launched by the Texas Credit Union League more than 11 years ago with the aim of recognizing credit unions that meet the needs of Hispanic consumers.

“Providing more access and better products and services not only puts Latinos in a stronger financial position,” Gonzalez said, “but also allows financial institutions to cultivate relationships with Latino consumers who will play an important role in the future of this country’s economy.”

In addition to their Chicago Heights location at 1030 Chicago Rd, Illiana Financial, which was organized in 1936 by Illinois Bell Telephone Company employees, also has offices in Bourbonnais, Calumet City, and Naperville.

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Photo (Above): Tom Kane, President/CEO of the Illinois Credit Union League; William Frank, Vice- Chairman of the Board of Directors for Illiana Financial Credit Union; Marisela Zambrano- Director of Business, Development for Illiana Financial Credit Union; James Henmueller, President/CEO of Illiana Financial Credit Union; Mayor David A. Gonzalez, City of Chicago Heights; Russ Melby, Chairman of the Board of Directors for Illiana Financial Credit Union; Anna Shaleva, Chief Lending Officer for Illiana Financial Credit Union; Pablo DeFilippi, SVP Membership and Network Engagement for Juntos Avanzamos.