A basic banking account is an important first step in participating in the financial mainstream, depositing your paycheck safely, paying bills effectively, accessing or building credit, and saving for emergencies and the future.
However, one key challenge facing people without accounts has been a lack of safe and appropriate banking products offered by mainstream financial institutions, particularly those without overdraft fees. Instead, nearly 63 million adults across the nation rely on costly alternative financial services – like cash checkers, payday lenders, and pawn shops – for routine financial transactions.
We're working to ensure everyone in our community has access to safe, affordable accounts so they no longer need to rely on the alternative services that are holding them back and costing them money.
What is Bank On Pueblo County?
Bank On Pueblo County is a collaboration between financial institutions, community-based organizations and local government to ensure that all residents have the opportunity to be financially healthy.
Together, we are connecting people to safe, affordable, and certified banking accounts. Our members also offer services and educational resources that help empower people and families to improve their financial capability, health and independence.
Making a Difference - Coalition Work
The Bank On Pueblo County Coalition is looking for financial institutions, community partners and working group participants. Click below to complete the Coalition Interest Form and submit it to us today! We will reach out to you with more information and to share upcoming events and meetings.
Bank On Nationally Certified Accounts Available in Our Region
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What are the Bank On National Account Standards, and Why Are They Important?
Banks and credit unions across southern Colorado offer low-cost, low-fee transaction accounts that are certified as meeting the Bank On National Account Standards. These certified accounts offer a checking account with a debit card with little or no fees and a opening deposit of no more than $25.00.
These accounts offer a safe and affordable alternative to being unbanked. Being unbanked can cost more than $40,000 over a lifetime due to the use of other costly financial services for routine financial transactions, ie. check cashing, payday loans, etc.
Represent a financial institution? Interested in learning how you can get an account certified? - https://joinbankon.org/certify/
History of Bank On
Bank On Pueblo County is proud to be part of the national Bank On movement, made up of over 80 similar local coalitions across the country. The nonprofit Cities for Financial Empowerment Fund (CFE Fund) is the national partner for local Bank On coalitions, supporting local efforts through resources like the Bank On National Account Standards and accompanying certification, grant support to build local coalition capacity, and a robust learning community. The CFE Fund also works to give voice to local coalition experiences by informing both federal regulatory policy and financial institution practices.
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COALITION PARTNERS
Tamra Axworthy
CEO
A Caring Pregnancy Center
Terry Baughman
Senior Vice President
Tammy Prutch
Program Director
Haley Sue Robinson
Director of Public Affairs
Ashleigh Hill
Self Sufficiency Program Coordinator
Kallene Faris
Financial Planner
Christine Zeitvogel
Project Manager
Nathan Cape
President/CEO
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Reid Weber
Registered Representative & Insurance Agent
Vanessa Trexel
CEO/President
Chanden Hand, Terri Carbajal, & Roberta Lewin
State of Colorado/Pueblo Workforce Center
We Keep Colorado Working.
Becca Maxwell
AVP, CRA Community Development Officer
Mirijam York
Certified Credit Union Financial Counselor
Della Tafoya
Branch Manager & Vice President
The Power Credit Union emPower Center is full of helpful information about money, banking, identity theft security and much more!
VITA is a program of the IRS, developed more than 40 years ago as a means for income taxpayers to have their tax forms prepared free of charge. The goal of the program is to move people towards greater economic self-sufficiency and away from safety net services that are used during crisis situations. The Pueblo VITA Program provides free tax preparation and filing for individuals and families with a household income of $55,000 or less. In addition to providing free tax prep, VITA works to ensure everyone in the community receives all of the tax credits and deductions that they are eligible for. Find out more at www.pueblounitedway.org/vita.
Want to learn more or get involved?
Contact us!
Bank On Pueblo County - Program Coordinator
Adrian Gomez
bankon@pueblounitedway.org
719-225-8580, option 4