Bank On coalitions are locally-led partnerships between local public officials; city, state, and federal government agencies; financial institutions; and community organizations that work together to help improve the financial stability of unbanked and underbanked individuals and families in their communities. In addition to connecting people to safe and affordable accounts, Bank On coalitions also work to raise public awareness, target outreach to the unbanked, and expand access to financial education.

The CFE Fund’s Bank On national initiative builds on this grassroots movement, supporting local coalitions with strategic and financial support, as well as by liaising nationally with banking, regulatory, and nonprofit organization partners to expand banking access, including through the first-ever Bank On National Account Standards, updated for 2025 – 2026. The CFE Fund announced an online Bank On account validation and certification process; banks and credit unions across the country, at no cost, can submit for validation products they believe meet the national Standards. The list of financial institutions offering such products continues to expand across the country.

Project Locations

Related Impacts

Report
January 29, 2019

Bank On National Account Standards (2019-2020)

The updated Bank On National Account Standards identify critical product features for bank or credit union accounts appropriate to those currently outside of the mainstream banking system.
Report
January 29, 2019

Bank On National Account Standards: Annotated Standards

Annotations to the individual features of the Bank On National Account Standards.
Report
September 28, 2017

An Evaluation of Financial Empowerment Centers: Banking Status

This brief details banking outcomes in the five FEC replication cities, and is excerpted from the CFE Fund’s full report, An Evaluation of Financial Empowerment Centers: Building People’s Financial Stability As a Public Service.
Report
January 31, 2017

Bank On Coalition Playbook

The CFE Fund’s Bank On Coalition Playbook provides tools and resources that local coalitions can use to do their work more effectively
Report
January 31, 2017

Bank On Account Validation

The CFE Fund invites financial institutions with products they believe meet Bank On National Account Standards (2019 – 2020) to apply for validation, and invites local Bank On coalitions to connect financial institutions with whom they are considering partnering in their communities to do so.
Report
January 29, 2019

2017 Bank On Data Pilot: Accessing Local Data

Bank On Playbook chapter on the 2017 Bank On Data Pilot, with guidelines for accessing local Bank On data
Report
January 31, 2017

Bank On National Account Standards (2017- 2018)

The updated Bank On National Account Standards, identify critical product features for appropriate bank or credit union accounts. Core account features include low costs, no overdraft fees, robust transaction capabilities such as a debit or prepaid card, and online bill pay.