Dec 30, 2020 | Public Policy Blog
By Janie Ginocchio We’ve recently talked about taking advantage of a new savings opportunity in Arkansas by using split direct deposit for state tax refunds, and in previous blog posts we’ve talked about making a New Year’s resolution to save as well as best practices...
Dec 22, 2020 | Public Policy Blog
By Janie Ginocchio On Dec. 21, Congress passed a pandemic relief and economic stimulus bill that includes $12 billion for Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) and Minority Deposit Institutions (MDIs) to help ensure funding reaches very small businesses...
Dec 18, 2020 | Public Policy Blog
By Janie Ginocchio In April 2019, we announced that Gov. Asa Hutchinson signed Act 774 of 2019, which required two direct deposit lines on the state income tax form so you could split your state refund into two bank accounts. This year, we facilitated the passage of...
Dec 15, 2020 | News, Press Releases
Little Rock, Ark. – Southern Bancorp Community Partners (SBCP), a 501(c)(3) loan fund and Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) announced today that it has received a $2 million gift from philanthropist MacKenzie Scott. SBCP serves economically...
Dec 8, 2020 | Press Releases, Public Policy Blog
LITTLE ROCK, ARK – Southern Bancorp Community Partners (SBCP) recently published Deferred Dreams: How Unmanageable and Abusive Debt Hinder Savings and Economic Security in Mississippi, a policy brief that explores how historic levels of debt have proved an impediment...
Jul 8, 2020 | Public Policy Blog
Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves signs a proclamation designating Mississippi Saves Week. Last week, Governor Reeves signed HB 597 into law, adding a second line for savings for the 2021 tax year. By James Owen Mississippians have a powerful new tool to save money,...
Jul 8, 2020 | Public Policy Blog
On July 7, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) announced that it had revoked the mandatory underwriting provisions of the 2017 Payday Lending Rule. This removed the requirement that payday lenders first determine a potential borrower’s ability to repay...
May 29, 2020 | Financial Fitness Blog
By Charlestien Harris Having access to credit can make dreams come true. In today’s world, you can hardly conduct business without using credit, rather it be renting a vehicle or hotel room or making a large purchase. Most people don’t worry about...
May 13, 2020 | Financial Fitness Blog
Filing Bankruptcy: The Facts By Charlestien Harris This is a particularly tough time for millions of Americans, and a lot of people are wondering what the next step should be when this pandemic is over. As a credit/housing counselor, I see many cases where...
May 6, 2020 | Public Policy Blog
By Janie Ginocchio You might be thinking, “I only know one person named ALICE and she’s my 86-year-old great aunt.” That’s surely true, but what’s true, too, is that ALICE is your waitress at your favorite diner, the lovely people who help you get your groceries to...