DURHAM, N.C. — The $51 million Latino Community Credit Union isone of four community development financial institutions that arefinalists in competition for a package of loans and grants thatcould be as much as $5.5 million.

The awards, which total $8.25 million, are a cooperative prizeoffered by Wachovia Bank and the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthurFoundation. Latino had to win several initial rounds of thecompetition to get to this point, according to its CEO Luis Pastor.If the credit union wins it will be in category of financialinstitutions of $50 million and above and its share of the $8.25million will be $5.5 million.

“We are delighted to be selected as a finalist for the WachoviaNEXT Awards for Opportunity Finance. This validates our hard workin the community and our efforts to provide affordable financialservices to families and neighborhoods that might not otherwisehave access to it. We are honored to be chosen as finalists for anaward that could really transform Latino Community Credit Union andtake it to the next level, allowing our credit union to impact morefamilies in the community,” Pastor said.