Guidebook To Serving TheUnderserved

CHICAGO - (11/14/05) -- Providing services to the millionsof unbanked Americans can help credit unions and banks establishprofitable, long-term customer relationships, according to a newguidebook on serving the underserved released last week by theNational Community Investment Fund. The guidebook, 'From theMargins to the Mainstream,' is based on results from the RetailFinancial Services Initiative, in which specially selected groupsof credit unions and banks pilot-tested a broad spectrum ofproducts and services on special underserved populations todetermine what works best in the real world. The guidebookdiscusses both the accomplishments and obstacles faced by thedifferent participants. In conjunction with release of theguidebook, one of the study's participants, Jennifer Tescher,director of The Center for Financial Services Innovation, will beholding a workshop at this week's BAI Retail Delivery conference inOrlando, on Nov. 15, on how to target unbankedcustomers.