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Building stronger financial futures for Chicago residents.

Bank On Chicago works to connect everyone to safe and appropriate financial products and services.
Nearly 65 million adults in the US are unbanked or underbanked, relying on costly alternatives for basic transactions. Bank On Chicago is a collaboration between the Economic Awareness Council and numerous Chicago area non-profits, government agencies and financial institutions. Through this collaboration, Bank On Chicago is working to increase financial literacy. Together, we are working to connect people to safe, affordable, and certified banking accounts. Our members also offer services and educational resources that help empower people and families to improve their financial capability, health and independence.
7%
of Chicago residents are unbanked

without a checking or savings account
25%
of Black households in Chicago are unbanked
$40K
cost of being unbanked over a lifetime
50M
underbanked adults nationwide

GetMyPaymentIL.org


Many people qualify to receive a $1,200 Economic Impact Payment Through the Cares Act.

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Stimulus Payment Training for Nonprofit and Government Case Managers


Join us for a webinar to learn about EIP payment eligibility and explore no-fee banking options with Bank On Chicago.  

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Bank On National Account Standards


The CFE Fund’s Bank ON National Account Standards provide local programs with a benchmark for account partnerships with financial institutions, and include both core and recommended features.

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Our Coalition
Join us in connecting Chicago residents to better banking products and making Chicago a safer, more accessible place to bank.
Bank On Chicago members are working together to ensure that all households have access to safe and affordable bank accounts that meet their needs, allows them to increase assets, and strengthen their financial stability.
Steering Committee

Cities for Financial Empowerment Fund

City of Chicago

Economic Awareness Council

Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation

Federal Reserve Bank

Heartland Alliance/Illinois Asset Building Group

Office of the City Treasurer, City of Chicago

Community Partners

Access Living

Bethel New Life

Cara Chicago

Catholic Charities

Chicago Commons

Chicago House

Gary Comer Youth Center

Heartland Alliance

Jane Addams Resource Corporation

Jewish Free Loan Chicago

Jewish United Fund

Ladder Up

National Latino ELester and Rosalie Anixter Centerducation Institute

National Latino Education Institute

North Side Community Federal Credit Union

Northwest Side Housing Center (NWSHC)

Poder

Preservation of Affordable Housing

The Resurrection Project

Safer Foundation

St. Lawrence Ministries

Woodstock Institute

Year Up

BANK ON CERTIFIED ACCOUNTS ARE
Safe

These accounts do not allow overdraft or non-sufficient funds fees, so you’ll never be hit with a surprise fee.
Low Cost

Certified accounts are $5 or less per month, with no unpredictable fees.
Functional

Certified accounts always allow free deposits, free withdrawals, and free bill payments.

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