Episode•June 6, 2024•20 min

Overcoming Barriers to Banking with Marquita Robertson | Ep. 324

Join us for an eye-opening conversation with Marquita Robertson, a passionate advocate for financial empowerment and the need for accessible, safe, and affordable banking options. Tiffany and Marquita delve deep into the challenges faced by the unbanked and underbanked communities and provide actionable insights on how to navigate these obstacles. About Our Guest Marquita Robertson is a lifelong financial capability advocate. She is the executive director of The Collaborative, an organization focused on closing the racial wealth gap in North Carolina through collaborations with financial institutions, nonprofits, and local government agencies to educate people about building wealth and advocate on behalf of financially vulnerable communities. Prior to that she was the Financial Education Director for the North Carolina Department of State Treasurer. There she led the Department’s financial education initiatives across the state, working with state agencies, schools, nonprofits and financial institutions. Marquita started her career in financial capability at the American Bankers Association (ABA) in the mid-2000s. And for nearly 20-years she has managed wealth building programs that impower and educate individuals in all facets of money management. Appointed twice by Gov. Roy Cooper, Marquita is serving her second term as Board of Trustee for the NC ABLE 529 program. She was also appointed by former Gov. McCrory to Chair the N.C. Financial Literacy Council, which guides statewide financial literacy standards and provide recommendations to the Governor and General Assembly regarding financial education. She also serves as a Board of Director for the United Way of North Carolina, Dix Park Conservancy, and Coastal Credit Union Foundation. Marquita was born and raised in Moyock, N.C., a small town on the most northeastern point of the state. She received her undergraduate degree in Political Science and Communication from East Carolina University, and a master’s degree in Communication and Journalism from Norfolk State University. She is supported by her loving husband and two amazing children. Connect with Marquita Website: https://thecollaborativenc.org Facebook: The Collaborative of NC Connect with Tiffany Website: https://www.moneytalkwitht.com Facebook: Money Talk With Tiff Twitter: @moneytalkwitht Instagram: @moneytalkwitht LinkedIn: Tiffany Grant YouTube: Money Talk With Tiff Pinterest: @moneytalkwitht TikTok: @moneytalkwitht Timestamps [00:00] Consumer credit reporting history for bank accounts. [05:38] Clarifying banking issues and emphasizing FDIC insurance. [07:56] Issues with alternative payment solutions, prefer banking. [11:50] Understanding bank account details is crucial. [12:45] Switched from bank to credit union to avoid fees. [17:03] Visit thecollaborativenc.org for bank...

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Key Takeaways

CheckSystems acts as the consumer credit report for banking history

Tracks closed checking/savings accounts with unpaid fees

Prevents opening new accounts at any bank or credit union

Can block access even from accounts closed decades ago

FDIC/NCUA-insured institutions provide recourse that alternative payment apps lack

Banks and credit unions must correct errors and return funds

Cash App, Venmo, PayPal have no regulatory oversight or customer service for disputes

Recent State Employees Credit Union glitch was resolved because of insurance protections

Bank accounts are not one-size-fits-all; evaluate features before opening

Compare minimum deposits ($5 vs $250+), monthly fees, and overdraft policies

Overdraft protection can be helpful or predatory depending on the user

Choose accounts with debit card, check-writing, and online access that match your needs

Cultural distrust, identity issues, and lack of proof of address keep people unbanked

Historical distrust of financial systems among Black and Brown communities

Homeless individuals cannot open accounts without a physical address

Many believe they don't have enough money to justify a bank account

Intro

Tiffany interviews Marquita Robertson about the barriers preventing millions from accessing safe, affordable banking and how to overcome them.

Marquita Robertson is Executive Director of The Collaborative, former Financial Education Director for the NC Department of State Treasurer, and serves on multiple boards including NC ABLE 529 and the NC Financial Literacy Council.

Overcoming Barriers to Banking with Marquita Robertson | Ep. 324

Key Takeaways

Intro

– Understanding CheckSystems and Banking Barriers

– Why People Remain Unbanked

– FDIC Insurance vs. Alternative Payment Apps

– Evaluating Bank Account Features

– Tiffany's Personal Banking Journey

– Documents Needed to Open an Account

– Bank On Certified Accounts Resource

Resources

Topics