Credit Union Association of New Mexico Endorses a Public Bank for New Mexico
Ballooning New Mexico|@Yancy|Flickr
AFLEP in New Mexico
The Importance of Place
By KUNM | January 18, 2021
Listen to Arturo Sandoval, founder of the Center of Southwest Culture, on KUNM’s “Espejos de Aztlán” discuss the importance of Place in New Mexico within the context of a rapidly changing world. A New Mexico public bank could help to support our communities and facilitate their growth with respect, within tradition.
Las Cruces City Council Discusses Formation Of A Public Bank In New Mexico
By KRWG | December 14, 2020
Alliance for Local Prosperity presented to the Las Cruces City Council on December 14, 2020 on the merits of a public bank for New Mexico. Supporters for a NM Public Bank include State Senator-Elect Carrie Hamblen, Councilor Gabe Vasquez and Councilor Kasandra Gandara.
A Public Bank for New Mexico
Richard Eeds courtesy SantaFe.com
By Richard Eeds, KTRC | Dec 2, 2020
Why does New Mexico need a Public Bank? Listen as Richard Eeds interviews Elaine Sullivan and Melissa Pickett of Alliance for Local Economic Prosperity about the ways a Public Bank could benefit all New Mexicans in the midst of the challenging times we are facing.
Working together let’s establish a Public Bank for New Mexico, to finance the bold changes it will take for our communities to overcome today’s obstacles and seize tomorrow’s opportunities.
The Alliance for Local Economic Prosperity (AFLEP) is a nonprofit, grassroots think tank advocating for a state public bank. New Mexico’s revenue (taxes and fees) is now largely invested in global banks outside the state, missing opportunities to invest in the economic needs of New Mexico communities. Learn more:
Endorse a Public Bank for New Mexico
Endorse a public bank so public officials and friends know you support public banking and why.
Robert Chavez
Reilly White
Dr. William Bowen
Lindsey Hope Pearlman
Glenn Schiffbauer
Ellen Brown
Allied Organizations that support what a State Public Bank can do for our economy
In the News
New push for state public bank in 2021 legislative session
By Brady Wakayama & Stephanie Chavez, KRQE – There is a new push – backed by several state lawmakers, and now some Albuquerque city councilors – for New Mexico to establish a state public bank. “It’s a great low cost, very easy way to make sure small businesses and economic development projects, municipal projects of all kinds, can get capitol pretty quickly,” said Dan Mayfield, VP of the Credit Union Association.
Building a green economy
By Kevin Robinson-Avila, Albuquerque Journal – The U.S. has emerged from previous economic downturns like today’s pandemic-induced slump by building new infrastructure. And given the immense construction needed to add transmission capacity, modernize grid technology, and build renewable generation facilities, transitioning to a green economy could provide a robust path to recovery while also laying the foundations for new, sustainable industries.
Albuquerque’s Quest to Buy Local Everything
By Oscar Perry Abello, Next City – The City of Albuquerque spends around $400 million a year on purchasing goods and services — excluding any CARES Act spending. About 65 percent of that already goes to local businesses in Albuquerque. “I would say I don’t see us surviving COVID without the City of Albuquerque business,” says Diverse Office Supply CEO Kerry Brennan Bertram. “I’m not exaggerating, I really don’t see how we could have managed.”
Public Banking Institute
Accross the nation, more than 25 initiatives and 50 grassroots organizations are advocating for the chartering of public banks. Learn more about the National Movement and the work of our national affiliate, the Public Banking Institute.
New Mexicans deserve the prosperity a public bank has provided North Dakotans
- North Dakota had the lowest unemployment rate in the nation during the 2007-08 recession. Current Sept 2020 rates: North Dakota, 3.8%; U.S., 7.9%; New Mexico, 9.4%.
- Bank of North Dakota (BND) has added to the state’s annual operating budget $300+ million over the past 10 years.
- North Dakota community banks are thriving because of their partnerships with BND: 10 community banks per 100,000 population, the highest in the U.S.
- BND originated or renewed 15,696 loans to state businesses, projects and students, totaling $1.33 billion in 2019. The total loan portfolio is $4.5 billion.
- BND works actively to create successful new businesses to reduce the state’s dependence on oil and gas.
- Founded in 1919 with $2 million in capital, BND reported assets of $7.0 billion at the end of 2019.
- BND posted its 16th year of record profits at $169 million in net earnings in 2019 and is highly profitable, with a Return on Investment (ROI) of 18.6% for 2019.
Detailed Comparison of New Mexico and North Dakota
BND’s Financing Economic Development 2019 Report
BND 2019 Annual Report: From Surviving to Thriving