InfoBytes Blog
New York to expand access to safe and affordable financial services
On January 4, the New York governor unveiled a proposal to expand access to safe and affordable financial services as part of the 2020 State of the State agenda. Included is a proposal to create the “Excelsior Banking Network” (Network), which is intended to “expand financial inclusion and access to affordable bank accounts and credit products” by providing $25 million in seed funding for the state’s Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFI) Fund. The Network—formed through a collaborative initiative between CDFIs, NYDFS, and other state agencies—will, among other things, engage in outreach and financial literacy education to the unbanked and expand available microcredit. “CDFIs are local financial service providers with locations throughout New York State, and often are the sole provider of banking and other financial services in low-income communities that are not served by traditional banks and financial institutions,” the announcement stated. Funding will be leveraged by participating CDFIs through targeted investments in underserved communities.
The governor also proposed the creation of a statewide Office of Financial Inclusion and Empowerment (Office), which is intended to meet the financial services needs of low- and middle-income New York consumers. The Office will be based at NYDFS, and “will maintain a centralized list of financial services counseling providers—across housing, student loan, debt, and general financial literacy—throughout the [s]tate and coordinate state and local services aimed at expanding access to credit and enhancing financial empowerment.” According to the announcement, the Office will also “incubate new programs to expand access to safe and affordable banking services, credit and financial education; coordinate public-private partnerships; and foster provision of high-quality, low-cost financial products statewide.”