Greylock Receives CDFI Certification

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Greylock Federal Credit Union has  announced its certification by the U.S. Treasury Department’s Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFI) Fund.

The certification allows Greylock to expand services addressing the needs of low to moderate income families. There are 808 certified CDFIs in the United States, including loan funds, credit unions and community banks. Greylock is the only CDFI credit union in the state of Massachusetts.

“Providing financial services to people of modest means is at the heart of what it means to be a credit union. We are one of the last places in the region where a family can have a truly free checking account without a minimum balance requirement or monthly fee," Greylock President Marilyn L. Sperling said. "The CDFI certification will help us expand our financial literacy outreach, increase our lending programs focused on lower income families, and help more families achieve greater financial stability.”

To receive this certification, financing organizations must have a primary mission of promoting community development and providing development services in conjunction with their financing activities. The benefits of CDFI certification include access to financial grants from the CDFI Fund, partnership opportunities with banks that are seeking Bank Enterprise Awards, access to New Market Tax Credits and the enhanced ability to raise funds from foundations, corporations and state and local governments.

Previously, GFCU received a Low Income Designation (LID) from the NCUA. This was based on analysis which showed that more than half of Greylock's members live in areas designated as low income by federal standards.
“Through these designations, federal agencies are providing credit unions with more tools to help meet the needs of families facing tough economic times,” Sperling said.

Pittsfield ZBA Member Recognized for 40 Years of Service

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff
12:23PM / Thursday, April 25, 2024

Albert Ingegni III tells the council about how his father-in-law, former Mayor Remo Del Gallo who died at age 94 in 2020, enjoyed his many years serving the city and told Ingegni to do the same. 

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — It's not every day that a citizen is recognized for decades of service to a local board — except for Tuesday.

Albert Ingegni III was applauded for four decades of service on the Zoning Board of Appeals during City Council. Mayor Peter Marchetti presented him with a certificate of thanks for his commitment to the community.

"It's not every day that you get to stand before the City Council in honor of a Pittsfield citizen who has dedicated 40 years of his life serving on a board or commission," he said.

"As we say that, I know that there are many people that want to serve on boards and commissions and this office will take any resume that there is and evaluate each person but tonight, we're here to honor Albert Ingegni."

The honoree is currently chair of the ZBA, which handles applicants who are appealing a decision or asking for a variance.

Ingegni said he was thinking on the ride over about his late father-in-law, former Mayor Remo Del Gallo, who told him to "enjoy every moment of it because it goes really quickly."

"He was right," he said. "Thank you all."

The council accepted $18,000 from the state Department of Conservation and Recreation and a  $310,060 from the U.S. Department of Transportation's Safe Streets and Roads for All program.