WALLINGFORD Conn. -- Twenty-one credit unions and the CreditUnion League of Connecticut have signed on with REAL Solutions, theprogram run by the National Credit Union Foundation which seeks tohelp credit unions tailor their efforts to reach out to lowerwealth members and communities.

The Credit Union League of Connecticut and 21 Connecticut creditunions have signed agreements with REAL Solutions, the leaguesaid.

"Our partnership with the REAL Solutions program enablesConnecticut credit unions to provide consumers with viablealternatives to the for-profit payday lenders who chargetriple-digit interest rates to people who can least afford them,"said League President Kevin Chandler. "It's a natural fit fornot-for-profit credit unions and it's the right thing to do."

"I am proud that Connecticut is participating in the REALSolutions program," said Kathy Chartier, League Chair andPresident/CEO of Member Credit Union, one of the participatingcredit unions. "REAL Solutions will help Connecticut Credit Unionsto do what we do best, serve our membership."

Credit Unions in 18 states are currently using REAL Solutions tohelp members get of debt to payday lenders as well as avoid paydayloans to begin with as well as rebuild their credit and move towarda firmer financial position, according to the Foundation.

"We will follow the same format that has worked so well in otherstates when rolling out REAL Solutions," affirmed Mark Lynch, whois serving as the "Field Coach" to liaison between NCUF andConnecticut credit unions. "By combining our resources with theCredit Union League of Connecticut, Connecticut credit unions andtheir members will benefit from our shared experiences across thecountry."

NCUF took on REAL Solutions as its signature program in Decemberof 2006 and will be working with up to 20 state credit unionassociations to implement the program this year. Over the nextthree years, REAL Solutions is projected to help more than 2,000credit unions in 33 states provide new products and services toattract more than 250,000 low-wealth members.