BROCKTON, Mass. -- The $1.5 billion HarborOne Credit Union has launched a loan program aimed at helping members who need financial support to take their citizenship examinations.
The "New Americans Loan Program" seeks to help defray the $675 fee for taking the exam. The loans offer a competitive annual percentage rate of 9.99% with 12 months to pay it off. Loan underwriting standards are very liberal, the CU said. There is no application fee.
HarborOne has partnered with the local associations serving the major immigrant populations of the area, Cape Verdeans, Haitians, and immigrants from Latin America. These organizations will screen applicants to ensure that they are eligible for U.S. citizenship before referring them to HarborOne.
