Bankers Association marks decade of community reinvestment
Vanessa Piñeiro-Montes, Aurelio Alemán and Raúl Ameijeira
The Puerto Rico Bankers Association this week will celebrate 10 years of the local banking industry’s contribution and impact on the development of the island’s communities with a series of educational events during “Community Reinvestment Week 2012,” organization officials said Monday.
The scheduled events slated through Oct. 5 include conferences and citizen forums focused on nonprofit organizations’ role as creators of public policies. The trade group will for the first time present the “Raúl Ameijeiras Award” to recognize the contribution of individuals to community development and social justice in Puerto Rico, Bankers Association President Aurelio Alemán said.
“It is with great pride and satisfaction that we celebrate 10 years of initiatives and partnerships that have brought together members of the local banking industry with the common goal of promoting social improvement actions as part of our enduring commitment with the wellbeing of our communities,” Alemán said.
“Through these efforts we have contributed to the wellbeing of its residents by promoting education and rehabilitation initiatives, as well as self-management projects, among many others that have helped to energized our economy on behalf of all the people in the island,” he added.
This week’s schedule includes a forum of the six candidates for governor of Puerto Rico, who on Friday will lay out their plans for community development, social justice, and the nonprofit sector.
Finally, the first “Raúl Ameijeira Award” will be bestowed on its namesake, said Vanessa Piñeiro-Montes, president of the Bankers Association’s community reinvestment committee.
In 1986, Ameijeira — a well-known businessman for 44 years — founded the Merchants United for the Community Development of Camuy Inc., a nonprofit that contributes to the town’s and the island’s development by encouraging economic development, supporting local businesses, and activities to enhance the quality of life.
Its services and product offerings include: health coverage plans and risk management, commercial, and housing rehabilitation loans as well as training, technical assistance, and employment programs.
“Through this important initiative we have worked with new and existing community organizations developing several efforts that have had a significant impact in key areas such as economic, education, health, and housing, which have contributed to establish partnerships with community organizations to provide continuance to such initiatives,” she said.
For more information on “Community Reinvestment Week 2012” seminars and events, click here.
