Saving and Managing Money

Sometimes all you need to get control of your finances are the right products and services: they should have low fees, fair interest rates and lots of support! Please take a look to see whether any of the products and services we offer would be useful to you.

Basic Banking

Do you have a bank account? Are you constantly frustrated by overdraft fees?
Consider a Community Financial Resources prepaid debit card. Similar to a prepaid cell phone, this card will not let you use what you do not have. You can put money on this card, have your paychecks direct deposited, transfer money and even pay bills and rent. All without ever running the risk of spending money you don't have and getting charged high overdraft fees. This card is one of the most affordable cards on the market. There is no opening fee and the only regular fee is a monthly $1 service charge. For more information, click here or call 215-851-1756.

Looking for a low-cost or high interest place to save part of your tax return?
Each year The Campaign for Working Families works closely with financial institution partners, such as PNC Bank and NOVA Savings Bank, to develop savings products that will help people get the most from their tax refunds. Keep in touch on this site to find out which products will be available at which tax sites this season! Also, consider becoming a PhillySaver. Through the PhillySaves program, you will get personal attention from a wealth coach, a free session with a certified financial counselor, access to low minimum balance, no cost savings accounts and regular newsletters with savings tips and guidance. For more info, go to http://phillysaves.org.

Looking for a low-cost or high interest place to save part of your tax return?
The Campaign for Working Families free tax sites negotiate every year to provide free, flexible savings options with competitive interest rates. In the 2010 tax season, we will offer savings accounts and CDs through Philadelphia Federal Credit Union. We will also offer Series I U.S. Savings Bonds. Savings bonds are offering a 3.36% interest rate this tax season and are a safe, secure and inexpensive way to save a portion of your tax refund. Ask staff at a free tax site for more information.

Are you hoping to improve your credit score?
Good for you! Improving your credit score is one of the easiest ways to ensure that you never pay too much to borrow money again! Contact Consumer Credit Counseling Service of the Delaware Valley to improve your credit score and get on your way to a more financially sound future! For an appointment, call (215) 563-5665.

Small Business and Homeowner Loans

Home repairs on the horizon? Perhaps you want to consolidate some debt in a low-cost loan?
Consider the PHIL-Plus and Mini-PHIL loans offered by the Greater Philadelphia Urban Affairs Coalition. These home improvement and debt consolidation loans promise people with less-than-perfect credit a fair interest rate. The program requires no appraisals or hidden fees. For more information, call Rachel Moore at to 215-851-1847, or rmoore@gpuac.org.

Are you looking for funds to help your small business grow?
Look no more, the Philadelphia Business Builder Loan is a special product developed with banks to offer business owners with less-than-perfect credit the opportunity to borrow money at a fair interest rate. A maximum of $50,000 can be loaned to eligible business owners for working capital, inventory, equipment purchase or capital improvements. For more information visit www.gpuac.org or call (215) 851-1740.

Financial Education

Do you want to provide financial education to your group?
Consider hosting a FAN Club or a MoneySmart workshop. FAN Clubs are peer-driven financial education groups that allow members to learn from both a professional instructor and each other. FAN Clubs tend to last for six sessions and include an orientation and graduation. MoneySmart workshops are one time financial education classes offered by experts in banking and personal finance to groups who wish to expand their knowledge. For more information about these programs, please contact Shante Antrom-Gowans at (215) 851-1740.