Moments in Consumer Lending

“If it′s planted in the ground,” Sergio Lozano said, “I can
make it grow.” A year-round farm laborer, Lozano works in
rice, corn, cotton, and soybean fields from daybreak until
sundown to support his wife and two children.

Since arriving in the United States from Mexico 15 years
ago, Lozano has also learned how to grow his credit score.
He was listening to the radio while driving a tractor when
he heard an interview with Mike Ramirez, HOPE’s Little
Rock, Arkansas, branch manager. Ramirez was promoting
services for hard-working people like Lozano, who have
ITIN numbers rather than social security numbers.

“I had no credit and no bank account, but when I heard
Mike talking, it was reassuring,” Lozano said. “I felt
confident I could call him and explain my situation.”

Lozano took out a credit-building loan through HOPE, then
refinanced his 2007 Jeep through Hope Credit Union at
a significantly lower interest rate than the original dealer
financing. When that same well-used Jeep started spending
more time in the shop than in the field, Lozano turned to
HOPE for a loan to buy a more reliable 2017 Toyota RAV4.

“When I needed a new car, I knew HOPE would be there to
help me. I trust HOPE to give me advice and guide me in
situations where I’m not sure what to do,” Lozano said. “Our
next step will be buying a house. Having a relationship with
HOPE has given me the confidence to think ahead and to
plan for a future.”