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 … Continued

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 … Continued

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 … Continued

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 … Continued

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 … Continued

Lenders, borrowers and community advocates share personal stories of payday lending; researchers recommend policy changes for North Carolina to protect consumers. Like mushrooms after a spring rain, payday lending outlets have sprung up across North Carolina to meet a seemingly … Continued

An analysis finds that check-cashing outlets proliferate in Charlotte, N.C. neighborhoods that have higher percentages of low-income African Americans. This study investigates the relationship between bank and check-casher business locations and the socioeconomic characteristics of residents in the greater Charlotte … Continued

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 … Continued

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