The St. Louis region, along with the rest of our country and world, is facing an unprecedented time of health and economic crisis due to the spread of COVID-19. As a collaborative of community partners dedicated to promoting financial health and economic prosperity, the St. Louis Regional Financial Empowerment Coalition and our network of nonprofit, financial institution and government sectors, are working collaboratively to identify key programs, tools and other resources that assist community members to secure their financial futures during these challenging times.
As financial needs have emerged throughout the crisis, the Coalition’s banking partners have responded in a variety of ways, such as through enhanced banking access—easing remote account opening restrictions, cashing checks for noncustomers, providing emergency assistance loans to individuals and small businesses, providing small-dollar loans as alternatives to payday lending, and more. Nonprofit partners, agencies and civic leaders are also responding in many ways, such as expanding educational efforts, pooling resources, providing virtual financial education to community members and advocating for system changes that address basic needs, like utility and rent and mortgage payments. United, our Coalition partners are making a difference for St. Louis.
For specific and growing ways Coalition partners are responding to the COVID-19 crisis and how you or others can leverage these resources, follow us on our social media sites, Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter; read about these and other tips for staying money smart in our Money Smart St. Louis blog; or contact Alicia Chestnut at 314-539-4019.
