12 Feb City of Jackson approves New Roots Credit Partnership to provide its 2,400 employees an alternative to predatory lending

Posted at February 12, 2014 in Press Release by

For immediate release
contact: Paheadra Robinson
direct line: (769) 230-2832
Probinson@mscenterforjustice.org

City of Jackson approves New Roots Credit Partnership to provide its 2,400 employees an alternative to predatory lending

Mississippi Center for Justice leads effort to increase financial literacy and link consumers to affordable loan products

(Jackson, Miss.) In a unanimous vote, the City of Jackson became the largest employer to sign on to the New Roots Credit Partnership and provide fair lending alternatives and money management courses for their 2,400 employees in need of a quick, affordable small-dollar loan.

“The war on poverty has to be fought in the halls of legislative houses. Today, the Jackson City Council took another positive step towards empowerment of its citizenry through anti-poverty legislation,” said Tony Yarber, city council member. The Partnership offers financial literacy courses and loans, which will operate through agreements with partners, BankPlus and Hope Community Credit Union. This unique program combats predatory lending practices through a combination of public education, grassroots outreach and workforce development.

“We are delighted with the City’s vote of confidence in the New Roots Credit Partnership and their enthusiasm for this model within their communities and hope it spurs interest in the program with other employers,” said Paheadra Robinson, director of consumer protection for the Mississippi Center for Justice.

This unique program can be scaled to meet the needs of any employer. For more information on the New Roots Credit Partnership, go to https://www.mscenterforjustice.org/our-work-consumer-protection/consumer…

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