FORIMMEDIATERELEASE
Contact: Alice Coday,Financial Empowerment Network | Seattle-King County (NETWORK),206.251.7705,
TheFinancial Empowerment Network | Seattle-King County
Recognizes Local Banks and Credit Unions for Contributions Assisting
Unbanked and Underbanked Households.
Tukwila, Washington – June 12, 2014 –The Financial Empowerment Network l Seattle-King County announced at their June meeting held at King County Housing Authority nominations made by local nonprofit agencies for bank/credit union branches and/or staff who provided exceptional service to clients referred by them who were unbanked or under banked. Laura Fletcher, Washington C.A.S.H. and Bank On Seattle-King County Co-Chair announced the nominations made by Jennifer Quiróz, YWCA Economic Resilience Initiative; Tina Houston, Seattle Financial Empowerment Center; James To, 21 Progress; Rosie Cullen, YMCA of Greater Seattleand Becky House, American Financial Solutions.
Awards went to:
- Mike Mathews, Banner Bank
- Hugo Garcia, Plaza Bank
- Martin Vallen, Express Advantage
- Alma Daniel, Express Credit Union
- Rosario Arias de Carroll, Plaza Bank
- Christina Conley, US Bank
- HomeStreet Bank
In addition, five bank/credit union coaches were recognized for their participation in a pilot Bank On Practicum that is now part of a courseofferedat North Seattle Community College in partnership with the City of Seattle.The practicum matches students with bank/credit union staff to increase student awareness of banking. With supportfrom the Paul G. Allen Family Foundation, the CFE Fund and City University of New York developedcourse, has been modified to fit the specific learning needs of counselors working at thenew Seattle Financial Empowerment Center.This course is now available to all case managers, counselors and front-line bank/credit union employees.
Bank Coaches Recognized:
- Gina Landola - HomeStreet Bank
- Steve Kim - KeyBank
- Carmen Marttila – KeyBank
- Ruth Ridgeway - BECU
- Emily McKenna - KeyBank
Additional recognitions went to HomeStreet Bank, KeyBank, BECU and WellsFargo who demonstrated their commitment by providing funding that allowed Seattle-King County residents access to a diverse array of financial resources on March 22, 2014 as sponsors of Financial Resource Day.
The 4th annual Financial Resource Day held on March 22, 2014was a one day event that combined workshops, one-on-one counseling, and other financial services, offered by a wide array of Financial Empowerment Network participating organizations. This community-wide benefit featured credit and debt counseling, financial planning and investment advice, credit reports, free tax preparation, access to public benefits, housing counseling, document shredding to prevent ID theft, legal assistance on bankruptcy and consumer rights, help with FAFSA applications, education and employment resources, Veterans Services, and advice on building a growing a business.
Aboutthe Financial Empowerment Network | Seattle-King County
The Financial Empowerment Network l Seattle-King County is a collaborative of community organizations who together are working to create a cohesive and comprehensive system of high-quality, accessible financial empowerment services and network throughout King County– connecting low-income and working people with the services they need, when they need them, to achieve their financial goals. Formoreinformation,goto
AboutBank On Seattle-King County
Bank on Seattle-King Countyis a major public-private initiative of the Financial Empowerment Network l Seattle-King and part of a national movement to connect people without bank accounts to affordable mainstream financial services, including checking, savings, credit, and financial education opportunities.
JoinBankOn.org defines unbanked as having no checking or savings account. Underbanked is defined as having an account, but continues to rely on alternative financial services, like checking-cashing services, payday loans, rent-to-own agreements or pawn shops.
Formoreinformation on Bank On programs,goto
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