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Banking on Financial Inclusion: The Road to Economic Empowerment
November 14, 2024 @ 8:00 am – 3:00 pm CST

Having access to basic banking services is an essential component of achieving economic stability and building wealth. However, approximately 5.9 million people in the U.S. lack access to safe, secure, and affordable financial products and services.
Join us in St. Louis for an in-person event that will explore the latest data, trends and opportunities around bringing accessible and equitable financial services to everyone.
Hear insights from leading experts in banking and financial inclusion, including those from the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. (FDIC), the Aspen Institute Financial Security Program, and the Cities for Financial Empowerment Fund. Speakers will discuss:
- The FDIC’s 2023 National Survey of Unbanked and Underbanked Households
- Developing a national strategy for an inclusive financial system
- Support for local Bank On coalitions and other programs to develop and launch financial empowerment strategies
The event’s keynote will be delivered by Leigh Phillips, president and CEO of SaverLife, a national nonprofit dedicated to improving the financial health of low- and moderate-income households.
This is an in-person event. The deadline to register is Tuesday, November 5, 2024.
Questions? Contact Lisa Locke, community development advisor, at lisa.locke@stls.frb.org.
Agenda
8:00 am CT
Breakfast and Networking
8:30 am CT
Welcoming Remarks
Daniel Paul Davis, Vice President, and Community Affairs Officer, Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
8:45 am CT
The State of Banking Access and Financial Inclusion
Moderator:
Lowell Ricketts, Data Scientist, Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
Panelists:
Keith Ernst, Associate Director, Consumer Research and Examination Analytics, Federal Deposit Insurance Corp.
Kate Griffin, Director of Programs, Aspen Institute Financial Security Program
Lisa Locke, Senior Community Development Advisor, Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
9:45 am CT
The Changing Landscape of In-Person Banking
Moderator:
Drew Pack, Senior Regional Outreach Manager, Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland
Panelists:
Alaina Barca, Community Development Research Analyst, Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia
Caleb Bobo, Supervisory Examiner, Federal Reserve Bank St Louis
Dominik Mjartan, President and CEO, Optus Bank
10:45 am CT
Break
11:00 am CT
Financial Inclusion: Reaching Those Most in Need
Moderator:
Mike Eggleston, Community Partnerships and Investment, Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
Panelists:
Miguel Lopez, Marketing Strategy Executive, Hispanic/Latino Market, Southern Bancorp
Edie Stewart, Senior Vice President and Chief Mission Officer, Goodwill of Arkansas Inc.
Magie Stevens, President & CEO, Foster Success
12:00 pm CT
Lunch and Keynote
Presenter:
Leigh Phillips, CEO, SaverLife
1:45 pm CT
Keys to Financially Healthy Communities
Moderator:
David Rothstein, Senior Principal, Cities for Financial Empowerment Fund
Panelists:
Constance Alberts, Program Director, Bank On Greater Milwaukee
Sarah Dieleman Perry, Vice President of Economic Mobility, Neighborhood Allies
Raya Boyte-Starnes, Accredited Financial Counselor, Community Impact Associate and Bank On Fellow, United Way of Northwest Louisiana
2:45 pm CT
Closing Remarks
Lisa Locke, Senior Community Development Advisor,
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
The opinions and statements expressed are those of the speakers and are intended only for informational purposes. They do not reflect official positions of the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis or the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System.





