Why isn't your savings account in a black bank?

MarcMan

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Nothing its not. Just because there's one black bank with one branch in a city of 3 million people doesn't mean anything. Other factors play into this. Where is that one branch located in relation to where I'm located? Is it on the other side of town? Am I going to have to drive past 30 other banks to get to it? People have already brought up the access to their money whenever and wherever.

You put up the map yourself. Look at all those empty states. Even the whole state of California only has 2. The state of Florida only has 2. 48 banks for 50 states isn't enough.

Accessibility is an issue for some but let's keep in mind we're discussing savings accounts in 2016. You should primarily be moving money in and out of your checking account which is why I thinks it's more understandable to choose a checking account based solely on proximity of branches. But given the nature of savings accounts and the online capabilities of most (all?) banks today, having a branch nearby is not a necessity.

This doesn't apply to me but I'm gonna give some input on some research I did.

Bank of America: 0.1%
One United: .20%
Ally Bank: 1.0%

When it comes to savings, always best to get the highest rate. :yeshrug:

Yes it's true that banks with no physical branches typically have higher interest rates for their savings accounts. No argument there. But let's look again at those rates; none of them even get close to beating inflation. The point of a savings account isn't really to make money, it's just to store emergency savings or very temporary cash piles. Your longer-term investments should obviously be in your 401ks, 403bs, investment accounts, roths, CDs, etc. Unless you're keeping your life savings in your savings account - losing tons of money regardless of bank choice - the affect on your balance is marginal. Whether this marginal effect offsets your support is a personal choice.

Put it another way with an example using the numbers above and a starting account balance of around 3,000 (over 3X the median savings account balance in the US).


Let's assume a young, socially-conscious couple is saving up for a down payment on a house in three years. They have $3,000 in their account currently and plan on putting 500 into their account every month for the next 36 months. Both banks compound interest daily.

If they go with One United or a comparable black bank, they will have about 21,072 for the down payment of their house.
If they go with Ally or comparable online-only bank, they will have about $21,363 for the down payment of their house.


So the question that the young couple must ask themselves is this; are we willing to invest in our black community and help employ fellow blacks and provide opportunities for ourselves at a personal cost of $291 paid out over 3 years? Again this is a personal decision that depends on what's important to the person. Other communities have shown that they are willing to invest in themselves. I think we as a people must stay educated and consciously decide who we want to support.
 
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Ghostface Trillah

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Accessibility is an issue for some but let's keep in mind we're discussing savings accounts in 2016. You should primarily be moving money in and out of your checking account which is why I thinks it's more understandable to choose a checking account based solely on proximity of branches. But given the nature of savings accounts and the online capabilities of most (all?) banks today, having a branch nearby is not a necessity.

.

If you think people are going to jump at the chance to send money to a bank online that they've never physically seen or can't physically walk into then I need your help because my Nigerian cousin who happens to have won the lottery needs your help with the fees and he'll give you piece of his winnings. I'll email you the details.
 

↓R↑LYB

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If you think people are going to jump at the chance to send money to a bank online that they've never physically seen or can't physically walk into then I need your help because my Nigerian cousin who happens to have won the lottery needs your help with the fees and he'll give you piece of his winnings. I'll email you the details.

How do you explain the millions of people who have their investment/retirement accounts in financial institutions that are 100% online :jbhmm:

Places like Vanguard, PayPal, TD Ameritrade, etc
 

Ghostface Trillah

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How do you explain the millions of people who have their investment/retirement accounts in financial institutions that are 100% online :jbhmm:

Places like Vanguard, PayPal, TD Ameritrade, etc

What percentage of those people do you believe are African American?

P.S. I know the actual number.
 

EndDomination

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Cuz Citizens bank
I have Citizens and it is ass.
But to answer OP's question, unless you live in one of those major cities where they have locations, the entire thing ends up being a hassle, especially if you want to withdraw from it at any one time. I don't think there are Black banks at all in Cleveland.
We don't all live in New York, DC, Chicago, LA, Atlanta, Houston or Miami.
 

Ghostface Trillah

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I have no clue, how many :jbhmm:

outside of employer based investments about 15%-20% of us actively invest online on our own.

Two things black people don't trust is banks and other black people. Therein lies the problem with investing in a black bank and the uphill battle they'll always face until they shake that stigma.
 

↓R↑LYB

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outside of employer based investments about 15%-20% of us actively invest online on our own.

Two things black people don't trust is banks and other black people. Therein lies the problem with investing in a black bank and the uphill battle they'll always face until they shake that stigma.

Any sources :jbhmm:
 

Ghostface Trillah

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Any sources :jbhmm:

My investment banker friend who attempted to open a black owned bank a few years ago and failed horribly. Those dudes lost millions trying to get a black bank off the ground in predominantly black cities.

I don't just post shyt for daps or for the sake of argument.
 

Silkk

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outside of employer based investments about 15%-20% of us actively invest online on our own.

Two things black people don't trust is banks and other black people. Therein lies the problem with investing in a black bank and the uphill battle they'll always face until they shake that stigma.
 
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