On its YouTube channel, the NCUA posted a new five-part series of videos Friday that explains how credit unions can become certified as a Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) to access new capital.

“Our goal is to promote awareness of the benefits of the CDFI fund programs to credit unions that serve the underserved,” Diane Rector, training manager for the NCUA's Office of Small Credit Union Initiatives, said. 

The NCUA said CDFI certification has been the doorway to the largest source of non-deposit capital for credit unions. Since its first funding cycle in 1996, CDFI has distributed $159 million to 159 credit unions, according to the NCUA.

In the videos, staff members from the NCUA's Office of Small Credit Union Initiatives and the Treasury Department's CDFI Fund discuss subjects such as the seven criteria that must be met for certification, and the process and benefits of certification. 

One video features success stories of three cooperatives: The $12 million Newrizons Federal Credit Union in Hoquiam, Wash., the $10 million Lighthouse Community Credit Union in Vancouver, Wash., and the $94 million Point West Credit Union in Portland, Ore.

The five-part series is titled “CDFI Fund Certification.” Each video is less than 10 minutes long.