Overcoming Barriers to Banking with Marquita Robertson | Ep. 324

Money Talk With Tiff

Join us for an eye-opening conversation with Marquita Robertson, a passionate advocate for financial empowerment and the need for accessible, safe, and affordable banking options. Tiffany and Marquita delve deep into the challenges faced by the unbanked and underbanked communities and provide actionable insights on how to navigate these obstacles.

About Our Guest

Marquita Robertson is a lifelong financial capability advocate. She is the executive director of The Collaborative, an organization focused on closing the racial wealth gap in North Carolina through collaborations with financial institutions, nonprofits, and local government agencies to educate people about building wealth and advocate on behalf of financially vulnerable communities.

Prior to that she was the Financial Education Director for the North Carolina Department of State Treasurer. There she led the Department’s financial education initiatives across the state, working with state agencies, schools, nonprofits and financial institutions.

Marquita started her career in financial capability at the American Bankers Association (ABA) in the mid-2000s. And for nearly 20-years she has managed wealth building programs that impower and educate individuals in all facets of money management.

Appointed twice by Gov. Roy Cooper, Marquita is serving her second term as Board of Trustee for the NC ABLE 529 program. She was also appointed by former Gov. McCrory to Chair the N.C. Financial Literacy Council, which guides statewide financial literacy standards and provide recommendations to the Governor and General Assembly regarding financial education. She also serves as a Board of Director for the United Way of North Carolina, Dix Park Conservancy, and Coastal Credit Union Foundation.

Marquita was born and raised in Moyock, N.C., a small town on the most northeastern point of the state. She received her undergraduate degree in Political Science and Communication from East Carolina University, and a master’s degree in Communication and Journalism from Norfolk State University. She is supported by her loving husband and two amazing children.

Connect with Marquita

Website: https://thecollaborativenc.org

Facebook: The Collaborative of NC

Connect with Tiffany

Website: https://www.moneytalkwitht.com

Facebook: Money Talk With Tiff

Twitter: @moneytalkwitht

Instagram: @moneytalkwitht

LinkedIn: Tiffany Grant

YouTube: Money Talk With Tiff

Pinterest: @moneytalkwitht

TikTok: @moneytalkwitht

Timestamps

[00:00] Consumer credit reporting history for bank accounts.

[05:38] Clarifying banking issues and emphasizing FDIC insurance.

[07:56] Issues with alternative payment solutions, prefer banking.

[11:50] Understanding bank account details is crucial.

[12:45] Switched from bank to credit union to avoid fees.

[17:03] Visit thecollaborativenc.org for bank account options.

Key Topics

• Financial resilience in North Carolina
• Understanding check systems
• Reasons for being unbanked
• Importance of bank account access
• Evaluating bank account features
• Trust in financial institutions
• Resources for banking options

Resources Mentioned

• ChexSystems: A consumer credit reporting agency tracking banking history.
• State Employees Credit Union: Example discussed regarding banking mishaps and their resolution.
• FDIC & NCUA: Insurance organizations for banks and credit unions.
• I was Denied: 6 Alternatives When You Can't Open a Bank Account

Calls to Action

• Switching Accounts: Don’t feel stuck with your current bank account. Explore options that better suit your financial needs.
• Get Informed: Visit our guest’s website for more resources and to find accounts specifically designed to help those excluded from traditional banking systems.

This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:
Chartable - https://chartable.com/privacy