State Sen. Jesse Hamilton, IDC-Metropolitan and chairman of the Banks Committee, recently hosted an ‘Economic Empowerment’ discussion with financial services leaders. A number of credit union advocates participated in the event, which was held Aug. 24 at Neighborhood Trust FCU’s headquarters in Manhattan.

In addition to Hamilton, state Sen. Marisol Alcantara, IDC-Metropolitan, and Banks Committee member Assemblywoman Carmen De La Rosa, D-Metropolitan, were both also in attendance.

Hamilton’s Economic Empowerment sessions provide financial services leaders with the opportunity share ideas on how to expand banking and capital into underdeveloped areas.

The Manhattan event included discussions on access to capital and credit, translation services, financing for affordable housing and minority- and women-owned businesses, and the state Banking Development Districts Program—which the New York Credit Union Association strongly supports expanding to include credit unions.

The following New York credit union advocates attended the event:

• Association VP of Governmental Affairs Michael Lieberman;
• Municipal CU VP of Public Relations and Corporate Communications Mike Mattone, chairman of the Young Professionals Commission;
• Neighborhood Trust FCU President Rafael Monge; and
• Municipal CU board members Beryl Major (first vice chair), Loretta Jones (second vice chair) and Tessa Hackett-Vieira (assistant secretary).