CA EVENT: Banking on Opportunity

Too many Angelenos lack a basic financial tool – a bank account. Without one they pay more to cash their paychecks, pay their bills, and don’t have a safe place to keep their money. And a bank account is the first step onto the ladder of affordable financial services people need throughout their lives. Without one, it’s harder to build credit and get well-priced car loans and mortgages – the exact financial tools needed to plan ahead and climb the economic ladder.

Bank on LA has ambitious goals to help “unbanked” Angelenos take their first steps into the financial mainstream and get on the path to financial security. But, Bank on LA and its partners are part of a larger statewide and national movement to ensure all Americans have opportunities to build savings and wealth. Come learn more about the big picture that includes financial empowerment strategies at the state and national levels and how you can help forward and strengthen these efforts.

At this event, Dr. Pastor shared the latest research on financial services and the under-served in LA, Ms. Calderon discussed the financial empowerment policies moving forward in Sacramento and how you can support them, Mr. Fellowes talked about emerging research and the policy agenda at the national level, and Ms. Heller discussed the Mayor’s broader policy agenda, and asset and wealth-building strategies for all Angelenos.

This event was co-sponsored by AARP California and the New America Foundation.

Participants

Dr. Manuel Pastor
USC Professor and Author, Banking on LA (2009),
This Could Be the Start of Something Big: How Social Movements for Regional Equity are Reshaping Metropolitan America (2009)

Olivia Calderon
California Legislative Director, Asset Building Program
New America Foundation

Matt Fellowes
Project Director
Pew Charitable Trusts

Sophia Heller
Policy Director, Housing & Economic Development
Office of Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa