Excite Credit Union CEO Brian Dorcy says he is “Excited” about achieving Community Development Financial Institution certification.
The credit union anxiously awaited its CDFI status for a long 15 months. When the team received word of its approval, they quickly put together a late afternoon Zoom happy hour to celebrate!
“We really appreciate the diligence and resilience that CU Strategic Planning put into the application process,” Dorcy said. “We were concerned when our initial application was denied. Still, we quickly huddled and strategized on the changes necessary to meet the rigorous standards for CDFI certification.”
“This certification is recognition of the good work that we are already doing. In fact, more than 60% of our lending is already directed toward lower-income consumers in our core markets in Silicon Valley and New Hanover County, NC. We expect to leverage this new status to launch a micro-business lending program in October, specifically to serve the needs of BIPOC-led businesses hit hardest by the pandemic.”
CU Strategic Planning celebrated along with Excite CU. "CU Strategic Planning works on certifications until they are approved,” Chief Strategy & Advocacy Officer Mike Beall, who’s also a co-owner of the firm, said. “Our services are not a one-time application submission. The single fee includes the consulting until the certification is obtained. A denial is never the end with us. What drives us is that we know credit unions are serving the underserved, accountable to their communities and have the mission of community development."
CU Strategic Planning AVP of Certification Services Carrie Ostrem added, “The team at Excite Credit Union really persevered through the CDFI certification process, and it was obvious their determination was driven by an authentic desire to help the most economically vulnerable in their community,” Ostrem said. “We at CU Strategic Planning were proud to work alongside the Excite Credit Union team through this certification and cannot wait to see their efforts to unlock even more opportunities for consumers who deserve their products, services and guidance.”