{"id":95087,"date":"2021-07-23T12:03:00","date_gmt":"2021-07-22T20:25:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/hispanicprwire.com\/english-first-commonwealth-fcu-earns-national-account-certification-through-bank-on-coalition-continuing-to-lead-inclusive-banking-in-the-lehigh-valley\/"},"modified":"2021-07-23T12:10:02","modified_gmt":"2021-07-23T16:10:02","slug":"first-commonwealth-fcu-obtiene-la-certificacion-de-cuentas-nacionales-a-traves-de-la-coalicion-bank-on-y-sigue-liderando-la-banca-inclusiva-en-lehigh-valley","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/hispanicprwire.com\/en\/first-commonwealth-fcu-obtiene-la-certificacion-de-cuentas-nacionales-a-traves-de-la-coalicion-bank-on-y-sigue-liderando-la-banca-inclusiva-en-lehigh-valley\/","title":{"rendered":"First Commonwealth FCU Earns National Account Certification Through Bank On Coalition Continuing To Lead Inclusive Banking In The Lehigh Valley"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><\/p>\n<style type=\"text\/css\"><![CDATA[\n\/* Style Definitions *\/\nspan.prnews_span\n{\nfont-size:8pt;\nfont-family:\"Arial\";\ncolor:black;\n}\na.prnews_a\n{\ncolor:blue;\n}\nli.prnews_li\n{\nfont-size:8pt;\nfont-family:\"Arial\";\ncolor:black;\n}\np.prnews_p\n{\nfont-size:0.62em;\nfont-family:\"Arial\";\ncolor:black;\nmargin:0in;\n}\ntable p, #divContent table p\n{\nmargin: 0px;\nmargin-left: 3.8px;\nfont-size: 8pt !important;\nfont-family: Arial;\ncolor: black;\nmargin-right: 0pt;\n}\ntable th, #divContent table th\n{\nfont-weight: unset !important;\ntext-align: unset !important;\nvertical-align: unset !important;\n}\n]]><\/style>\n<div class=\"xn-content\">\n<p><span class=\"xn-location\">LEHIGH VALLEY, Pa.<\/span>, <span class=\"xn-chron\">July 22, 2021<\/span> \/PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE\/ &#8212; First Commonwealth Federal Credit Union, the <span class=\"xn-location\">Lehigh Valley&#8217;s<\/span> largest credit union and leader in inclusive banking, announces their recent national account certification in support of the Bank On Allentown Coalition. With a mission of &#8220;empowering the pursuit of financial happiness,&#8221; First Commonwealth FCU is committed to empowering positive change and serving the evolving needs of individuals, families and businesses throughout the diverse <span class=\"xn-location\">Lehigh Valley<\/span> community. Their Fresh Start Checking Account has earned <a href=\"https:\/\/c212.net\/c\/link\/?t=0&amp;l=en&amp;o=3237044-1&amp;h=146322786&amp;u=https%3A%2F%2Fjoinbankon.org%2Faccounts%2F&amp;a=National+Bank+On+Certification%2C%C2%A0+\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\"><b>National Bank On Certification<\/b>,\u00a0 <\/a>bringing a new\u00a0level of inclusivity, access and\u00a0choice\u00a0to banking and financial education for unbanked, underbanked and underserved consumers in the <span class=\"xn-location\">Lehigh Valley<\/span>.<\/p>\n<div id=\"prni_dvprnejpge9e9left\" dir=\"ltr\" style=\"width: 100%; text-align: left;\">\n    <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" id=\"prnejpge9e9left\" title=\"Bank_On_Allentown_FCFCU\" src=\"https:\/\/mma.prnewswire.com\/media\/1579862\/Bank_On_Allentown_FCFCU.jpg\" alt=\"First Commonwealth FCU Earns National Account Certification Through Bank On Coalition Continuing To Lead Inclusive Banking In The Lehigh Valley\" width=\"400\" height=\"251\" align=\"middle\"\/><\/div>\n<p>First Commonwealth FCU has been working with the <span class=\"xn-location\">City of Allentown<\/span> and United Way of the <span class=\"xn-location\">Greater Lehigh Valley<\/span> for nearly three years to advance inclusivity and access to banking by establishing the Bank On Allentown Coalition and gaining support of other key community partners. First Commonwealth FCU was the first <span class=\"xn-location\">Lehigh Valley<\/span> financial institution to commit support to this important initiative. Bank On Allentown, which officially launched last fall, joins 85 <a href=\"https:\/\/c212.net\/c\/link\/?t=0&amp;l=en&amp;o=3237044-1&amp;h=484998153&amp;u=https%3A%2F%2Fjoinbankon.org%2Fcoalitions%2F&amp;a=Bank+On+coalitions\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\">Bank On coalitions<\/a> across the country \u2013 <i>1 of 4 in <span class=\"xn-location\">Pennsylvania<\/span><\/i>.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;We believe all individuals should have equal access to affordable banking, the ability to bank, save and borrow with dignity and respect and inclusive access to financial education tools and resources to have a successful relationship with money. Through our early involvement with Bank On Allentown, we learned that access to financial services\u00a0for the underbanked in the <span class=\"xn-location\">Lehigh Valley<\/span> community was not being met and we immediately took action,&#8221; said <a href=\"https:\/\/c212.net\/c\/link\/?t=0&amp;l=en&amp;o=3237044-1&amp;h=2632593235&amp;u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.linkedin.com%2Fin%2Fjames-gagliano-49ab6523%2F&amp;a=James+Gagliano\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"xn-person\">James Gagliano<\/span><\/a>, Chief Experience Office for First Commonwealth. \u00a0Through its partnership, First Commonwealth will work to expand inclusive access to appropriate financial products and services to unbanked and underbanked residents outside of the mainstream financial system.<\/p>\n<p>According to the CFE, close to 5% of U.S. households are &#8220;unbanked,&#8221; without a checking or savings account, and almost 11% of U.S. households are underbanked, meaning they still use some fringe financial services. Locally, 37% of households in <span class=\"xn-location\">Allentown<\/span> are unbanked or underbanked.\u00a0 &#8220;Collectively, our goal is to bridge the gaps here in our community, building financial stability and connecting individuals with a trusted financial partner and inclusive and affordable banking products,&#8221; added Gagliano.<\/p>\n<p>Bank On Allentown is supported by the national nonprofit <a href=\"https:\/\/c212.net\/c\/link\/?t=0&amp;l=en&amp;o=3237044-1&amp;h=3959814006&amp;u=https%3A%2F%2Fcfefund.org%2Fproject%2Fbank-on%2F&amp;a=Cities+for+Financial+Empowerment+Fund%27s+(CFE+Fund%27s)+national+Bank+On+initiative\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\">Cities for Financial Empowerment Fund&#8217;s (CFE Fund&#8217;s) national Bank On initiative<\/a>, which works to ensure that everyone has access to safe and affordable bank and credit union accounts. Partnering financial institutions must submit their product&#8217;s terms and conditions to the CFE Fund, which uses an independent third-party evaluator to verify the product meets the requirements. The requirements, or &#8220;standards&#8221;, include features designed specifically to meet the needs of the target demographic, such as free and unrestricted access to in-person and digital account access, as well as minimal fees including the inability to overdraw on the account.<\/p>\n<p>In addition to being a founding partner in Bank On Allentown, First Commonwealth FCU continues to be a leader in inclusive banking as the first credit union in the <span class=\"xn-location\">Lehigh Valley<\/span> to proudly accept the <a href=\"https:\/\/c212.net\/c\/link\/?t=0&amp;l=en&amp;o=3237044-1&amp;h=3872937549&amp;u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.firstcomcu.org%2Fmatricula-card.html&amp;a=Matr%C3%ADcula+Consular\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\">Matr\u00edcula Consular<\/a> de <span class=\"xn-location\">Mexico<\/span> card as a form of acceptable identification to open accounts. &#8220;These two initiatives are a\u00a0testament to\u00a0our commitment to the community. Being a not-for-profit financial cooperative empowers us to\u00a0do the right thing to help individuals, families and small business grow stronger with us.\u00a0 The acceptance of the Matr\u00edcula card and establishment of <span class=\"xn-location\">Allentown&#8217;s<\/span> Bank On Coalition will not only make affordable financial services more available and accessible than ever before, but will also open up more opportunities for inclusive banking within our communities,&#8221; added <a href=\"https:\/\/c212.net\/c\/link\/?t=0&amp;l=en&amp;o=3237044-1&amp;h=55554576&amp;u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.linkedin.com%2Fin%2Fjames-gagliano-49ab6523%2F&amp;a=Gagliano\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\">Gagliano<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>The nationally certified First Commonwealth FCU Fresh Start Checking account can be opened online from the convenience of your own home or at any of First Commonwealth&#8217;s 11 <a href=\"https:\/\/c212.net\/c\/link\/?t=0&amp;l=en&amp;o=3237044-1&amp;h=450034412&amp;u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.firstcomcu.org%2Flocations-and-atms.html&amp;a=locations\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\">locations<\/a> throughout the <span class=\"xn-location\">Greater Lehigh Valley<\/span>.<\/p>\n<p>First Commonwealth FCU also offers workplace banking for employers of any size throughout the <span class=\"xn-location\">Greater Lehigh Valley<\/span> through their <a href=\"https:\/\/c212.net\/c\/link\/?t=0&amp;l=en&amp;o=3237044-1&amp;h=1501247203&amp;u=https%3A%2F%2Ffirstcommonwealth.org%2Fwork-first%2F&amp;a=Work+First+by+First+Commonwealth+FCU\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\">Work First by First Commonwealth FCU<\/a> Employer Partner program.<\/p>\n<p>Learn more about the national Bank On movement: <a href=\"https:\/\/c212.net\/c\/link\/?t=0&amp;l=en&amp;o=3237044-1&amp;h=901658816&amp;u=https%3A%2F%2Fjoinbankon.org%2F%23%2F&amp;a=https%3A%2F%2Fjoinbankon.org%2F%23%2F\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\">https:\/\/joinbankon.org\/#\/<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Learn more about <a href=\"https:\/\/c212.net\/c\/link\/?t=0&amp;l=en&amp;o=3237044-1&amp;h=1501247203&amp;u=https%3A%2F%2Ffirstcommonwealth.org%2Fwork-first%2F&amp;a=Work+First+by+First+Commonwealth+FCU\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\">Work First by First Commonwealth FCU<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>\n    <b>ABOUT FIRST COMMONWEALTH FEDERAL CREDIT UNION<br \/><\/b><br \/>\n    <u><br \/>\n      <a href=\"https:\/\/c212.net\/c\/link\/?t=0&amp;l=en&amp;o=3237044-1&amp;h=1844246397&amp;u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.firstcomcu.org%2F&amp;a=First+Commonwealth+Federal+Credit+Union\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\">First Commonwealth Federal Credit Union<\/a><br \/>\n    <\/u>\u00a0(FCFCU)\u00a0is a\u00a0member-owned, not-for-profit financial services cooperative serving more than 68,000 members and 1,500 businesses in the <span class=\"xn-location\">Greater Lehigh Valley<\/span> since 1959. A nationally recognized\u00a0leader in\u00a0consumer and business\u00a0banking innovation\u00a0and service, FCFCU is committed to offering a more inclusive, better banking experience and investing heavily in the <span class=\"xn-location\">Lehigh Valley<\/span> community.\u00a0As the\u00a0<u><a href=\"https:\/\/c212.net\/c\/link\/?t=0&amp;l=en&amp;o=3237044-1&amp;h=987789635&amp;u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.firstcomcu.org%2Fpost%2Ffirst_commonwealth_federal_credit_union_named_forbes_1_pennsylvania_bestinstate_credit_union.html&amp;a=Forbes%27+%231+Credit+Union\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\">Forbes&#8217; #1 Credit Union<\/a><\/u>\u00a0in PA in both 2020 and 2019,\u00a0and winner of numerous community service awards,\u00a0First Commonwealth\u00a0FCU\u00a0is among the highest ranked credit unions by the\u00a0National Credit Union Administration.\u00a0With a\u00a0mission of<b>\u00a0&#8220;empowering the pursuit of financial happiness&#8221;<\/b>\u00a0and\u00a0<b>core values of &#8220;honesty,\u00a0innovation, generosity, humility, excellence and respect&#8221;<\/b>\u00a0FCFCU\u00a0is focused on bringing affordable, easy to use financial services to\u00a0everyone in\u00a0the <span class=\"xn-location\">Lehigh Valley<\/span> community.\u00a0With\u00a0eleven\u00a0<u><a href=\"https:\/\/c212.net\/c\/link\/?t=0&amp;l=en&amp;o=3237044-1&amp;h=1749765787&amp;u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.firstcomcu.org%2Flocations-and-atms.html&amp;a=financial+centers\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\">financial centers<\/a><\/u>,\u00a0<u><a href=\"https:\/\/c212.net\/c\/link\/?t=0&amp;l=en&amp;o=3237044-1&amp;h=721055820&amp;u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.firstcomcu.org%2Fcontent%2Fdocs%2FAccountAccessGuide.pdf&amp;a=24%2F7+account+access\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\">24\/7 account access<\/a><\/u>,\u00a0a best-in-class\u00a0<u><a href=\"https:\/\/c212.net\/c\/link\/?t=0&amp;l=en&amp;o=3237044-1&amp;h=3078975694&amp;u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.firstcomcu.org%2Fpersonal%2F247-access.html&amp;a=digital+banking+center\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\">digital banking center<\/a><\/u>\u00a0and dedicated small business center,\u00a0First Commonwealth\u00a0FCU\u00a0provides trusted financial services\u00a0in the communities they serve. First Commonwealth\u00a0FCU\u00a0serves its membership through purpose-driven and mission-based values to help members empower their pursuit of financial happiness\u00a0through all the\u00a0<u><a href=\"https:\/\/c212.net\/c\/link\/?t=0&amp;l=en&amp;o=3237044-1&amp;h=2170673911&amp;u=https%3A%2F%2Ffirstcommonwealth.org%2Flife-stages&amp;a=stages+of+life.\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\">stages of life.<\/a><\/u><\/p>\n<div id=\"prni_dvprnejpg2037left\" dir=\"ltr\" style=\"width: 100%; text-align: left;\">\n    <img decoding=\"async\" id=\"prnejpg2037left\" title=\"First_Commonwealth_Logo\" src=\"https:\/\/mma.prnewswire.com\/media\/1198033\/First_Commonwealth_Logo.jpg\" alt=\"First_Commonwealth_Logo\" align=\"middle\"\/><\/div>\n<p>Photo &#8211; <a href=\"https:\/\/c212.net\/c\/link\/?t=0&amp;l=en&amp;o=3237044-1&amp;h=20201804&amp;u=https%3A%2F%2Fmma.prnewswire.com%2Fmedia%2F1579862%2FBank_On_Allentown_FCFCU.jpg&amp;a=https%3A%2F%2Fmma.prnewswire.com%2Fmedia%2F1579862%2FBank_On_Allentown_FCFCU.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\">https:\/\/mma.prnewswire.com\/media\/1579862\/Bank_On_Allentown_FCFCU.jpg<\/a><br \/>Logo &#8211; <a href=\"https:\/\/c212.net\/c\/link\/?t=0&amp;l=en&amp;o=3237044-1&amp;h=4201857707&amp;u=https%3A%2F%2Fmma.prnewswire.com%2Fmedia%2F1198033%2FFirst_Commonwealth_Logo.jpg&amp;a=https%3A%2F%2Fmma.prnewswire.com%2Fmedia%2F1198033%2FFirst_Commonwealth_Logo.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\">https:\/\/mma.prnewswire.com\/media\/1198033\/First_Commonwealth_Logo.jpg<\/a>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>SOURCE  First Commonwealth Federal Credit Union<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p> <\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<div class=\"xn-content\">\n<p><span class=\"xn-location\">LEHIGH VALLEY, Pa.<\/span>, <span class=\"xn-chron\">July 22, 2021<\/span> \/PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE\/ &#8212; First Commonwealth Federal Credit Union, the <span class=\"xn-location\">Lehigh Valley&#8217;s<\/span> largest credit union and leader in inclusive banking, announces their recent national account certification in support of the Bank On Allentown Coalition. With a mission of &#8220;empowering the pursuit of financial happiness,&#8221; First Commonwealth FCU is committed to empowering positive change and serving the evolving needs of individuals, families&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":95088,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-95087","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-negocios-y-finanzas"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/hispanicprwire.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/95087","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/hispanicprwire.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/hispanicprwire.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hispanicprwire.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hispanicprwire.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=95087"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/hispanicprwire.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/95087\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hispanicprwire.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/95088"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/hispanicprwire.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=95087"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hispanicprwire.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=95087"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hispanicprwire.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=95087"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}