Our History

Latino Credit Union was founded in 2000 as a grassroots response to a wave of robberies and muggings of Latino immigrants in Durham, North Carolina. Since then, it has become a national model for credit unions and community development financial institutions seeking to serve unbanked individuals and immigrant communities.

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2000 – First Branch Opened

As part of a grassroots movement, The Support Center, El Centro Hispano, NC State Employees’ CU, and Self-Help CU come together to form LCCU, a safe place for Latinos to save their money, access credit, and build wealth.

2001 – Increased Coverage Across NC

LCCU becomes the fastest growing community development credit union in the country, opening branches in Charlotte, Raleigh, Greensboro, and Fayetteville. The Wall Street Journal says that LCCU “is considered a model in international banking among federal regulators concerned about the so-called unbanked populations here and in Latin America.”

2003 – Recognized for Innovation

LCCU receives the Herb Wegner Award for Outstanding Organization from the National Credit Union Foundation. Since that time, LCCU will receive more than 30 awards recognizing our financial education program and our tailored products and services.

2004 – Introduced Mortgage Lending

LCCU introduces mortgage loans geared towards making home buying more accessible by accepting alternative credit. The mortgage program features a strong educational component and careful underwriting that helps maintain low delinquency and foreclosure rates, even during the financial crisis.

2007 – Expanded Financial Education

LCCU develops the innovative “Dreams” series. These award-winning, feature-length movies are designed to educate members about buying a home and starting a business using an entertaining “telenovela” format. During this time, an online curriculum and educational videos are created to make financial education resources more accessible to members and the larger community.

2009 – Continued Growth and Expansion

With support from local and national partners, LCCU opens additional branches, develops new products, and improves technology, including online account access. New branches are opened in Winston-Salem, Charlotte, Garner, Carrboro, Monroe, as well as a new Virtual Branch.

2015 – Building Capacity and Sustainability

As a sustainable institution, LCCU reaches $200 million in assets. The organization is getting ready for new opportunities.