Researchers assessed the composition and needs of unbanked working N.C. families and whether North Carolina should expand financial services as part of welfare reform.

A case study describes how significant engagement with community organizations and public officials helps a major employer in a declining industry remain competitive and a low-income minority neighborhood build a competitive workforce and prosper. The partnership between Eaton Corporation’s Navy … Read more

Center researchers document the compelling business model of the nation’s largest minority grocer. Jimmy Johnson focuses on superior, customer-targeted service, community involvement, and workforce development and retention. Employing a business model based on superior, customer-targeted service, community involvement, and workforce … Read more

The federal transition to electronic funds transfer (EFT) of government benefits through direct deposit presents new opportunities for financial institutions in North Carolina to better serve unbanked and marginally banked populations. In the new economy, it is as important to … Read more

North Carolina policymakers and regulators should take three actions to protect consumers from payday lenders. The growing network of “fringe banks”—check cashers, payday lenders, and pawnbrokers—can be both a blessing and a curse for people who cannot or choose not … Read more

Researchers assess the financial impact of a national Individual Development Account (IDA) pilot, Downpayment on the American Dream Demonstration, and the net savings and assets of program participants. This paper supplements the growing body of research on the national Individual … Read more

The quest for affordable housing has become a middle class crisis – and it has moved into the suburbs.

This nation is experiencing unprecedented economic prosperity, yet one out of every seven American families has a critical housing need, including millions of working families. This nation is experiencing unprecedented economic prosperity, yet one out of every seven American families … Read more

The federal government’s shift to deliver public benefit payments via electronic funds transfer holds potential to bring poor Americans into the banking mainstream. At the beginning of 1999, federal payments began to be made via electronic funds transfer (EFT); the … Read more

A guide to low-cost checking, savings and other account services available at banks and credit unions in North Carolina.