June_05_507Los Angeles, CA) – The Urban Financial Services Coalition, (UFSC) and Operation HOPE, Inc. (OHI) announce formal partnership around Operation HOPE’s Banking on Our Future program in all markets across the country where they both have a presence.

Operation HOPE, Founder, Chairmen and CEO John Bryant, and UFSC National President Damita Barbee announced at the UFSC 31st Annual Conference in

Atlanta, GA. on June 17 a national partnership to promote financial literacy and economic education, via volunteerism and active promotion of OHI’s Banking on Our Future program, and the FDIC Money Smart program.

“UFSC is an excellent partner with HOPE in our mission to empower people, and our movement to eradicate poverty as we know it. Comprised of mostly ethnic minorities in banking and all forms of financial services all across America, UFSC members literally reflect the low wealth and grossly under-served markets we serve, and are committed to impacting. In this way we make excellent partners in HOPE building and the silver rights movement too. I have often said that the 20th century was about issues of race and the color line, or what we call civil rights, and the first civil right was the right to vote. This said, the 21st century will be principally about issues of class and poverty, or what we call silver rights, and the first silver right is financial literacy. If you do not know better, you cannot do better. What more appropriate partner for a new era rights leader such as Operation HOPE, than a new era civil rights and silver rights focused organization, such as UFSC. Working together, we can indeed make a difference," said OHI Founder, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, John Bryant.

This commitment from UFSC will promote personal development including financial literacy for youth through HOPE’s Banking on Our Future program. And where applicable, credit counseling for first time home buyers, and financial planning in markets where appropriate for adults via community outreach seminars via Operation HOPE Centers.

UFSC National President Damita Barbee says, "The partnership between OHI and Urban Financial Services Coalition will add to the educational outreach programs and mission of UFSC to revitalize activities in the areas where local residents will reap the benefits through their participation in our joint programs. We are proud to continue our 31 year old tradition of helping people realize their dreams through financial education."

UFSC President-elect Andrew Carr concurs, "We feel that financial literacy is key to making smart money decisions, which is one the reasons we why we at UFSC support programs that help people; young and old make sound decisions with the resources they have available."

About Urban Financial Services Coalition, (UFSC)

The Urban Financial Services Coalition is a non-profit organization of minority professionals in the Financial Services Industry. The organization changed its name in June of 2000 from the National Association of Urban Bankers NAUB), to encompass its affiliates in the Financial Services Industry. 

The UFSC has 29 chapters throughout the United States and in Toronto, Canada and is recognized as the premier organization for minority professionals in the financial services industry. Recognized for its commitment to education and community outreach, the UFSC has awarded over $1.MM in scholarships over the past 31 years to deserving high school students who have been accepted in four-year colleges and universities and have expressed an  interest in financial services careers.  The UFSC also conducts financial literacy and wealth building seminars to under-served communities throughout the nation.

About Operation HOPE, Inc.

Operation HOPE, Inc. (OHI) is America’s first nonprofit social investment bank and a national provider of financial literacy and economic empowerment programs. Through ongoing collaborations and long-term partnerships with leading government, private sector, and community interests, OHI works to bring self-sufficiency and a sustained spirit of revitalization to America’s inner-city communities. OHI’s HOPE Centers, a growing network of inner-city banking centers, have created more than 800 new homeowners and small business owners, more than $125 million in funded loans, and more than $210 million in commitments for homeownership and small business loans from their 250 bank and corporate partners. In partnership with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, and a network of private and community partners, OHI’s HOPE Coalition America has provided free financial counseling and casework services to Americans affected by natural disasters and national emergencies in 125 cities in 35 states to date. Taken together, these programs make Operation HOPE the national leader in economic empowerment tools and services for the under-served in America. OHI and its programs can be found online at www.operationhope.org, www.bankingonourfuture.org , and www.hopecoalitionamerica.org

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