Let's face it: it's hard to get excited about a bank branch. From the legalese to the lines, from the mauve carpet to the Muzak, the time-honored business of taking deposits and making loans somehow always feels, well, uninspiring.

Now, imagine that you're an underbanked consumer. Maybe English isn't your first language. Maybe you've heard horror stories about banks from your parents or grandparents. Maybe you've become quite comfortable with retail financial services outlets, like check cashers or the Walmart customer service desk or your local grocery store, and the rosewood-and-brass routine just doesn't do it for you. To top it all off, if you do choose to step outside your comfort zone and queue up in a bank, the products on offer usually don't meet your needs. It's a frustrating mismatch in nearly every way.

Read more as CFSI Relationship Manager Karen Andres discusses how Self-Helps new microbranch tackles these issues and more for underbanked consumers.

• Treasury Department's Launch of Tax Time Debit Card Program, February 8th, 2011
   

To register, please visit our website.

• Senior Consultant 
   
• Consultant


• Director of Research
   
• Networks/Market Service Team Intern
   

• March 14, 2011 | Best Practices in Retail Financial Services Symposium | Miami, FL. CFSI Relationship manager Karen Andres will speak at this symposium in a session titled "Branching Out: Reaching the Underbanked in a Most Unlikely Place."
• May 1-4, 2011 | Experian Vision 2011 Conference | Hollywood, FL. CFSI Relationship manager Karen Andres will speak at this conference in a session titled "The underbanked entrepreneur:  Reaching revenue and social returns in helping the underbanked become profitable small business banking clients."
• June 8-10, 2011 | The 6th Annual Underbanked Financial Services Forum | New Orleans, LA.  Join CFSI as we discuss issues related to the underbanked and this year's theme: "Invest. Innovate. Inspire."