The U.S. Treasury Department has awarded $1.2 million to two Hawaii credit unions for financial assistance awards for Native Hawaiians.

U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz said today the awards will give better opportunities, security and stability to Native Hawaiian families.

Queens Federal Credit Union will get $659,000 while Hawaii First Federal Credit Union will get $524,000 for fiscal 2013.

The awards are part of an assistance program geared toward Native Americans.

Treasury officials say the awards help people who often don’t have access to traditional banking.

Individual awards come as loans, grants, investments and deposits.