hi everyone
 here is a writeup on Rudolf Steiner Foundation website about our Loan Participation Agreement that the Permaculture Credit Union pioneered with them to make more money available to loan to our members by selling loans to RSF, while keeping the management of the loans with the PCU.
        The PCU has been a leader in the banking and credit union field by pioneering Loan Participation Agreement since 2002 with larger Credit Unions that allow the PCU to loan more money  thus increasing the redirecting of money to support PC ethics  “care of the earth, care of people, and investment of surplus for the betterment of both.”
                          wes roe Board Member of the Permaculture Credit Union www.pcuonline.org

http://www.rsfsocialfinance.org/

01.03.2007 -
RSF Participates in Permaculture Credit Union's Earth -Friendly Lending


When Jeff Maul built his home in Santa Fe County, he approached his bank to convert his construction loan into a mortgage loan...

When Jeff Maul built his home in Santa Fe County, he approached his bank to convert his construction loan into a mortgage loan. They refused because they deemed his energy-efficient 800- square foot home “too unusual.” He approached other financial institutions without success. His friend suggested the Permaculture Credit Union (PCU), because it provides financing and services for socially responsible individuals building sustainable structures.

Through PCU, Jeff Maul was able to secure a fixed-rate first-time mortgage loan in a short amount of time. PCU’s mission is to pool the financial resources of people who live according to the ethics of permaculture—“care of the earth, care of people, and investment of surplus for the betterment of both.” PCU commits 65% of members’ deposits to its “sustainable mortgage program.” In order to help PCU obtain more liquidity to make loans under this program, RSF joined with two credit unions from New Mexico in an ongoing Loan Participation Agreement.

“I believe this is the first time that a credit union has reached outside the credit union movement for an agreement of this type. Mark Finser, RSF’s president and CEO, was very receptive to the evolution in lending that PCU was trying to create,” says President and CEO Donald Sarich. “We are grateful for RSF’s collaboration, which has enabled PCU to take another leap forward.”

Like Jeff Maul’s loan, all loans that RSF purchased (e.g., updating a home and landscaping with sustainable systems; remediation of property previously used as an illegal dumping ground; purchasing land for an organic flower farm) are home or land equity lines of credit for purposes aligned with both PCU’s and RSF’s missions.

“Our investors, with their intention of creating a more sustainable future and their confidence in RSF, are really the ones who have made this loan participation possible,” says Mark Finser. “I am grateful to them for seeing this through.”

For more information, please visit www.pcuonline.org . For more information about becoming an investor at RSF to support initiatives like PCU’s “sustainable mortgage program,” go to our “Social Investment Fund” page http://www.rsfsocialfinance.org/investing/.


ABOUT RSF SOCIAL INVESTMENT FUND
Through the RSF Social Investment Fund, you can be a part of RSF’s growing community of like-minded financiers that support organizations that offer the most hope for our future.
http://www.rsfsocialfinance.org/investing/

Benefits to investing in the RSF Social Investment Fund include:
Broadening your impact. Pooled with the investments of RSF’s investors, your investment with RSF is leveraged to do greater good for society supporting many socially constructive organizations;
Diversifying your portfolio. The Fund is focused on preserving your capital and providing you with dependable returns. Since its inception, RSF has always honored an investor’s request for repayment.
Maintaining your liquidity. While we especially appreciate our long-term investors, you may request redemption of your investment before the next quarter-end of the calendar year.
Generating social returns. Significant social return is generated for society in a variety of ways such as environmental stewardship, fairly traded products and organically grown agriculture, and schools that address the intellectual, emotional, aesthetic, and social needs of the whole child.


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