2,450 New Bank Accounts opened since inception
Bank On Northwest Louisiana opened 1,546 accounts in 2015, up 42 percent over the previous year. The number of accounts opened since the program began in October of 2013 totals 2,450.
Bank On Northwest Louisiana was created by the City of Shreveport and partnered with United Way of Northwest Louisiana to help the unbanked and underbanked achieve and maintain financial stability. Bank On Northwest Louisiana’s purpose is to break down the barriers of banking and create an easier pathway for residents to enter the financial mainstream.
In January, the United Way of Northwest Louisiana expanded the program beyond Shreveport to include all of Caddo, Bossier, Webster, Bienville, and Claiborne Parishes.
“Our partners have worked so hard to help the residents of Shreveport become account holders and experts of their finances,” said Rashida Dawson, program coordinator. “Last year was definitely a major success, but we still a lot of work to do to help increase the wealth of our community. We’re excited to be able to serve the residents of Northwest Louisiana in 2016.”
Bank On Northwest Louisiana participates in several community activities and partners with nonprofit organizations to promote the program to those who need it. Forty-five community outreaches and financial literacy workshops were held in 2015.
The Bank and Credit Union Partners include:
- BancorpSouth
- Barksdale Federal Credit Union
- Campus Federal Credit Union
- Citizens National Bank
- Fort Sill National Bank
- IBERIABANK
- Origin Bank
- Pelican State Credit Union
- Progressive Bank
- Red River Bank
- Regions Bank
- Shreveport Federal Credit Union
- Woodforest National Bank
The Financial Education Partners include:
- Catholic Charities of North Louisiana
- Hands Up
- Highland Center Ministries (Volunteers of America)
- Mt. Canaan Baptist Church
- NZBC Urban Corporation
- Stonewall Multi-Cultural Development Center