Lower East Side People’s Federal Credit Union was featured recently in an article celebrating Community Development Credit Unions and their role in giving opportunities to the underserved communities in New York City. Linda Levy, CEO of Lower East Side People’s FCU, was quoted in the article saying, “Obviously, the Lower East Side has changed a lot since 1986 when we started there. However, I would say that for us, since our focus has always been the low-income and immigrant community of the Lower East Side, that hasn’t changed. They’ve been left behind by gentrification.”

The credit union joined the CU*Answers network, converting to CU*BASE^® core platform in 2011. As a 100% credit union-owned CUSO, CU*Answers shares many of the values of its clients. “We’re so happy for Lower East Side People’s FCU and the work they’re doing,” said CU*Answers EVP Scott Page. “Their commitment to serving the community, their member-owners, should serve as an inspiration for our organization and for the entire credit union industry.”

Lower East Side People’s FCU was a recipient of the Spirit of CU*Answers Scholarship, created as a unique offering to provide credit unions an opportunity for change, especially when factors such as economic/operations issues are impeding their ability to succeed. Said Page, “Just as Lower East Side People’s FCU is helping people in their community to get financial aid, so too is CU*Answers looking to help members of our community—the credit unions we serve.”

Simply put, the Spirit of CU*Answers Scholarship covers CU*BASE core data processing services—the base member processing fee and e-commerce offerings such as It’s Me 247 online banking—at no charge for a two-year period. “We have a simple goal: to expand our partners’ capabilities so they can remain relevant in the lives of their members,” concluded Page.

Visit Lower East Side People’s FCU at their website: https://lespeoples.org/. For more information on the Spirit of CU*Answers Scholarship, visit http://www.cuanswers.com/about/scholarship/.

 About the Lower East Side People’s Federal Credit Union

The Lower East Side People’s Federal Credit Union is a member-owned, not for profit financial institution dedicated to meeting the financial services and credit needs of local residents, businesses and community organizations. Our mission is to stimulate economic and community development by providing a safe, affordable and democratic alternative to traditional banks, and by reinvesting our members’ money in the communities we serve.