Financial Freedom

Helping Formerly Incarcerated People Take the First Step

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Advocacy

Financial education and access to affordable banking services help people create a path to financial stability and economic mobility.

The First Step Alliance Fresh Start Financial Education and Banking Programs are available to incarcerated and formerly incarcerated people through partnerships with community organizations, Departments of Corrections, and other government agencies. There is no cost to participants and all Programs, including credit counseling services, are offered in both English and Spanish.

Justice-involved individuals experience significant challenges in accessing mainstream financial services. Our vision is to start a new credit union for this community, their families, friends and supporters.

We are committed to ending systemic discrimination in financial services.

...a groundbreaking not-for-profit financial institution that will be dedicated to meeting the holistic financial needs of justice-involved individuals – from no-fee, no-minimum checking accounts and debit cards to secured credit cards, credit builder loans, auto loans, and more.

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News & Insights

Entrepreneurship After Prison: Fresh Start Business Ideas

Reintegrating into society after a period of incarceration can be a daunting challenge, especially when it comes to securing employment....

Planned Credit Union for Formerly Incarcerated Seeking Startup Funding

Discrimination in financial services is a huge problem for millions of formerly incarcerated individuals, and especially impacts people...

AMERICAN BANKER Interview – Banking for Formerly Incarcerated

The media continues to shine a light on the financial challenges formerly incarcerated people face. American Banker recently published an...

Proposed Federal Credit Union for Returning Citizens Gets Green Light To Apply For a New Charter

The National Credit Union Administration (NCUA) has extended its approval for a new charter application to the Organizing Members of...

Business Insider Interview – Second Chance Banking

There has been an increasing focus on systemic discrimination in accessing mainstream financial services for formerly incarcerated people...

A Comprehensive Guide to Banking for Returning Citizens

What you need to know about mainstream banking services and fintechs, and why you should ultimately consider joining a Credit Union....

What We Can Learn From Norway’s Prison System: Rehabilitation & Recidivism

Today, Norway's prison system has become a model for the rest of the world, and some states in the U.S. are following Norway’s lead.

First Step Alliance Sends Letter to House FS Committee in Support of Returning Citizens

On September 28, 2021 the House Financial Services Subcommittee on Diversity and Inclusion held a hearing entitled, “Access Denied:...

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Thank you to all of our generous donors, including the following organizations:

Be a rainbow in someone else's cloud.

Maya Angelou

Fresh Start Banking