This directory provides useful information and resources to national banks and federal savings associations (collectively, banks) that are interested in providing financial services to underbanked consumers.

The underbanked is a general label describing two consumer segments: individuals with no bank accounts (unbanked) and individuals with bank accounts who regularly use nontraditional financial institutions such as check cashers and payday lenders (underbanked).

Some banks have identified the underbanked as a separate market segment and are dedicating resources to them as such. Other banks treat them as a part of an existing market segment.  For example, some banks have created specialized departments to focus on this and similar segments, sometimes referred to as emerging market departments, while others incorporated the underbanked in their existing retail divisions.

Banks providing financial services to underbanked markets may receive consideration under the Community Reinvestment Act (CRA). They may also meet certain requirements under the Equal Credit Opportunity Act.

The resources in this directory are organized into the following categories:

• Underbanked Market Data
• Banking Products and Services for Underbanked Markets
• National Underbanked Initiatives
• Other Resources