As our organization continues to grow, we needed a name that would be easier for you, our members, to remember, repeat, and share. Our team, mission, products, and services aren’t changing. Together, we’re building brighter futures. Thank you for continuing this journey with us.
Please note: Our website URL is changing to www.finanta.org and www.finantacreditunion.com.
Why is Community First Fund changing its name to Finanta?
This name change reflects a renewed pledge to our roots and mission, aligning more closely with our grassroots approach and the diversity of the communities we serve. Finanta was born from the needs of the local community, and those roots drive us forward with determination. The name, Finanta, comes with a 30-year legacy of serving Philadelphia’s Latino and immigrant communities and it embodies our grassroots approach to fostering change on a foundational level.
What does Finanta mean?
Finanta (pronounced fee-NAN-tah) is a consumer-friendly name that was invented as a variation on the word “Finance.” Finanta is easy to say, remember and repeat, which is important since most of our clients and members come to use through word of mouth. This fits our mission of delivering accessible financial resources that build financial equity and wealth.
When is the name change taking place?
The name change rollout is starting in November 2024. When that happens, you’ll see changes to our website, social media presence, email signatures, etc. Our loan fund website will be redirected to finanta.org and our credit union website will be redirected to finantacreditunion.com. As we expand our presence in Philadelphia and embrace a new strategic plan which expands our credit union/cooperativa services to consumers, it was critical for us to become more “embedded in our community.”
Does changing our name to Finanta change who you serve?
While our heritage and focus are rooted in the Latino community, it is still our mission to continue to provide accessible, responsible financial services to immigrants, People of Color, women, and those living in low-income communities regardless of their race, religion or country of origin. We serve all the community, including many with African American, African, and Asian backgrounds.
How has the organization changed since the merger of Community First Fund and Finanta in 2020?
We bring all the size, strength, and resources of 30 years of Community First Fund as we evolve as Finanta, including a broad portfolio of products, technical assistance programs, business coaching programs and a variety of other services.
The Finanta headquarters is in Philadelphia, at 1301 N. 2nd Street. Our Philadelphia office still proudly champions entrepreneurs and early-stage businesses through our Affinity Group Lending program, and we also maintain our first-time mortgage program. Both programs have been running consecutively for over 10 years.
Is anything else about the business changing?
While we are changing our name, our mission, vision, and values haven’t changed. And nothing about our organization, management, or existing products and services you’ve come to depend on over the years has changed.
We’ll continue to offer loans to small businesses, community-focused real estate developers, and microloans to budding entrepreneurs through our innovative Affinity Group Lending program. We will also be opening new branches of our credit union, or Cooperativa Finanta, and expanding our financial services to consumers.