Nuestro Banco celebrates its success

Nuestro Banco celebrated its first anniversary Saturday with a big party for its clients and friends.

About 400 to 500 people attended the celebration, which had live music and food.

Grupo Saiko Musical performed, and two clowns provided entertainment for the children.

“We are very happy,” said Raul Perez, a resident of Raleigh. “I liked the party.”

The bank is still working to recruit more Latino community members, said Dave Flores, president of Nuestro Banco. Events like this celebration attract people and publicity.

Nuestro Banco offers its clients opportunities to invest money and to build a credit line.

“I’m very interested in having money in the bank, but today I’m here to celebrate,” said Alfonso Hermenegildo, a Raleigh resident.

The bank allows clients to cash checks, transfer money and pay bills. Clients also have access to ATMs.

The bank offers financial education classes to help clients learn how to manage their money.

“We are having many events in the local community to promote ourselves,” said Gilma Jimenez, assistant vice president of education at Nuestro Banco.

Clients obtain credit cards and certificates of deposit at the bank too.

There are services for small businesses that include money market accounts and small business loans.

There is a lot of demand for reliable financial services in the Latino market, Flores said.

While the bank has competition from the Latino Community Credit Union, there are not many banks that cater directly to Latinos.

“The population of Latinos is growing, and its average age is 27,” Flores said. “We created a model for this demographic.”

Nuestro Banco helps members of the Latino community become familiar with the banking system.

The southeast is a region of a lot of immigrant expansion, Flores said, adding that North Carolina is friendly to immigrants.

Nuestro Banco’s main office is in Raleigh, but there are plans to open new branches across the state.

The bank is considering Charlotte, Greensboro, Wilmington and Asheville as candidates for new branches.

Some people currently travel to the bank from more than 30 miles away, Flores said.

“We have been received very well.”



Contact La Colina at lacolinadesk@gmail.com.