Royal CU Receives Grant to Expand Financial Well-Being for All

EAU CLAIRE, Wis. – Royal Credit Union has been awarded $525,000 from the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) Financial Assistance Program. Royal is one of 265 CDFIs receiving the grant funds.

Link to CDFI Fund news release: U.S. Treasury Awards $180.3 Million to Support CDFI Investment in Low-Income and Distressed Communities | Community Development Financial Institutions Fund (cdfifund.gov)

Royal’s work as a CDFI is focused on expanding access to quality credit products and improving financial well-being for all. Royal will use grant funds to lend deeper into target markets, specifically low-income, distressed, and underserved people. This will include plans to offer a home improvement consumer, unsecured signature loan for the purpose of rehab or “livability” type home improvements.

Royal is 1 of more than 1,200 certified CDFIs that work in low-wealth communities across the

United States. There are only 6 credit union CDFIs operating in WI and MN. CDFIs are mission driven financial institutions that bring affordable credit and financial services to individuals and businesses, often in minority and economically distressed communities.

The application was written and submitted by Royal’s internal CDFI team. The team works together to deploy and track grant funds for the benefit of our Members. Royal became a certified CDFI in 2015. Including today’s announcement, Royal has received five grants under the CDFI program totaling over $6.9 million.

Link to CDFI info blog on rcu.org: Royal Credit Union is a Community Development Financial Institution…Here’s What That Means | Royal Credit Union (rcu.org)

About Royal Credit Union

Royal Credit Union is a federally insured credit union proudly serving over 240,000 Members in Minnesota and Wisconsin. Royal is driven by a core ideology built on a strong purpose and values. You can open an account or apply for a low-rate loan at Royal Credit Union if you live or work in 26 counties in western Wisconsin or 16 counties in Minnesota. Counties served in Wisconsin include Adams, Ashland, Bayfield, Barron, Buffalo, Burnett, Chippewa, Clark, Douglas, Dunn, Eau Claire, Jackson, Lincoln, Marathon, Pepin, Pierce, Polk, Portage, Price, Rusk, Sawyer, St. Croix, Taylor, Trempealeau, Washburn, and Wood. Counties served in Minnesota include Anoka, Carver, Chisago, Dakota, Goodhue, Hennepin, Isanti, Olmsted, Pine, Ramsey, Scott, Sherburne, Wabasha, Washington, Winona and Wright. Realtors in the state of Wisconsin or Minnesota are also eligible to join the credit union. Visit rcu.org or call Royal Credit Union at 800-341-9911 for more information.