Bank On Worcester County is a creative approach to addressing poverty as a community health concern, resulting in a unified partnership of local government, non-profit organizations and banking institutions focused on increasing financial stability for low-to-moderate-income individuals and families through access to banking and financial education.
WCAC was awarded an Activation Fund grant from the Health Foundation of Central Massachusetts in order to establish Bank On Worcester County in 2017. Partners are working to increase access and decrease barriers to conventional banking institutions through the development of safe and affordable products and options, as well as financial education opportunities to meet the needs of low-to-moderate income individuals and families in Worcester and Southbridge.
Participating Bank On Worcester County Financial Institutions:
Bay State Savings Bank , Berkshire Bank, Cornerstone Bank , DCU , Fidelity Bank, and UniBank
See below for map of locations of participating branches.
Research shows that 5.8% of Worcester County residents are unbanked and 16.3% are underbanked. Influenced by the national Bank On model, Worcester County banking partners are working within four committees to design a core product, develop a marketing campaign, identify tracking tools, train bank front line staff, and to implement financial education.
Bank On Worcester County desired outcomes:
- A 10% increase in the number of individuals opening new accounts at partnering financial institutions.
- A 20% increase in the number of individuals receiving financial education services at WCAC and three partner organizations.
- A 10% increase in the number of WCAC youth program participants who utilize banking resources.
Additional information:
Bank On Worcester County in the News:
