National recognition for Racial Economic Equity efforts

Veridian Credit Union was recently recognized for work leading a Racial Economic Equity (REE) Incubator with community partners in Waterloo, Iowa. Veridian is one of nine credit unions across the U.S. leading REE Incubators designed to take a unique, collaborative approach on efforts to close the racial wealth gap. The Veridian-led incubator specifically focuses on closing gaps in homeownership and access to other consumer lending for African American households in Black Hawk County, Iowa. Veridian was first selected to lead an REE Incubator by Filene Research Institute in 2023 to explore ways to build upon and replicate outcomes of new and existing community partnerships. In July, incubator leaders competed for Filene’s Catalyst Award at the Spark! Conference in Boston, Massachusetts. Veridian was recognized in second place, winning $2,500 for the Waterloo-based REE Incubator.

“Homeownership is one of the most impactful tools allowing many to achieve long-term financial stability and success,” said Veridian's President and CEO Renee Christoffer. “That’s why we chose to focus our Racial Economic Equity efforts on helping people overcome barriers to homeownership. We’re fortunate to be joining so many impactful community partners in that work.”

Partners in the Waterloo-based REE Incubator include 24/7 BLAC, Iowa Heartland Habitat for Humanity, House of Hope, Try Pie and the City of Waterloo. Together, they created the Achieve Financial Empowerment Program to streamline and expand access to the customized programs offered by each partner, including greater access to mortgages and other consumer loans.

Veridian's Community Inclusion Manager, Angela Weekley, stated the intention of the Achieve program is that "all African Americans in Black Hawk County are liberated to have financial stability and build wealth.”