Several financial institutions sponsor asset building programs and have excellent accessibility features to accommodate the needs of consumers with disabilities. This article highlights the connections between disability and asset building made by three diverse corporate financial institutions.

National Federation of Community Development Credit Unions

The Federation was established in 1974 by a coalition of credit union leaders dedicated to revitalizing low-income communities. Their mission is to strengthen the credit unions that serve low-income communities -- known as "community development credit unions," or CDCUs. The Federation carries out its mission out mission by advocating for and providing financial, technical, and other resources to CDCUs. Headquartered in New York City, 225 credit unions in 42 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico are members of the Federation. The Federation is considered a leader in the Community Development Finance Industry. The promotion of thrift continues to be central to the mission of CDCUs.

Individual Development Accounts (IDAs) provide an ideal vehicle for encouraging low-income credit union members to save toward homeownership, self-employment and higher education. Currently, 44 CDCUs around the country participate in the Federation's IDA program, with more than 400 open accounts.
The Federation is forging an alliance with the network of organizations serving people with disabilities, in order to bring financial services, access to credit, and financial education to a market of millions of people who are disproportionately represented in America's low-income communities.

ShoreBank

ShoreBank, was the country's first community development bank. They focus their services on improving the economic equity of the neighborhoods they serve. ShoreBank is committed to helping their customers build their own wealth and revitalize communities through Development Deposits Accounts and Individual Development Accounts (IDAs). ShoreBank provides services through a variety of programs that include:

• ShoreBank Neighborhood Institute (SNI) is the Chicago non-profit affiliate of ShoreBank Corporation, the country's oldest and largest community development bank. Established in 1978, SNI celebrates its 26th year working with clients to increase their economic opportunities for Asset Building and Wealth Creation through Education, Entrepreneurship and Employment Initiatives. Annually, we currently serve 600 individuals, families and small business owners in ShoreBank's priority communities with Initiatives to increase their capacities for personal financial growth and greater self-sufficiency. SNI is funded by grants, contracts and capital, which is provided by private foundations, local public and Federal agencies, by corporations and individual gifts.

• ShoreBank Advisory Services is the consulting and research arm of Shorebank, the leading bank holding company committed to increasing economic opportunities for underserved urban and rural communities in the U.S. and internationally. SAS designs and implements sustainable development finance programs. Through innovative techniques and with Shorebank's decades of experience, SAS helps local institutions in challenging areas and emerging economies around the world identify and invest in untapped local markets, develop strategic plans, create profitable investment and credit programs, rebuild neighborhoods and provide affordable housing.

• The Center for Financial Services Innovation gives the private sector the resources it needs to build long-term relationships with underbanked consumers. By funding innovative projects, facilitating creative partnerships, disseminating best practice information, and providing a forum for exchange between business and regulators, CFSI helps industry leaders find effective ways of linking transactional products with broader asset-building opportunities for low-wealth consumers.

Washington Mutual

Washington Mutual, Inc. is a publicly held FORTUNE 500 company. With a history dating back to 1889, Washington Mutual, Inc. is a retailer of financial services that provides a diversified line of products and services to consumers and commercial clients. At March 31, 2004, Washington Mutual and its subsidiaries had total assets of $280.77 billion. The company operates over 2,400 offices throughout the nation.

Washington Mutual has courted customers in underserved urban markets by offering free checking and other wallet-targeted incentives- like Individual Development Accounts. Steve Bartlett, president and CEO of the banking industry trade organization group Financial Services Roundtable, states: "The competition for the so-called un-banked market is more fierce than ever before". In oder to compete, Washington Mutual has adopted innovative solutions for under-served communities.

To leverage single-family lending efforts, Washington Mutual develops innovative ways to reach under-served communities through its single-family community lending program. Washington Mutual's staff and community and industry partnerships have enabled work with communities that have unique or special needs and seek solutions to these challenges. The results of these efforts include the creation of a variety of special programs to help local, regional and state markets in collaboration with community partners. These programs may be coupled with a variety of outside sources of subsidy to increase affordability for lower-income homebuyers and those in very high-cost housing markets.
Community programs and support include:

• A program for nonprofit affordable housing providers to build, rehabilitate, or purchase single-family homes to create first-time homebuyer and affordable rental opportunities for consumers;

• An array of programs to assist Native American tribes, tribal organizations, or tribal members to purchase, build or rehabilitate homes on individual or tribal trust lands;

• Self-help housing that allows for "sweat equity;"

• Participation in the Federal Home Loan Bank's affordable housing programs; and

• Individual Development Accounts (IDAs), which are a way for lower-income consumers to build economic strength. We work with local nonprofit agencies to provide education and free savings accounts to support future homeownership, education goals or the start-up of a small business.

In Washington Mutual's commitment to reaching low-income markets, they offer a variety of accessible banking features

to serve best customers with disabilities. They are committed to Web accessibility and strive to incorporate the guidelines created by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C). Washington Mutual offers telephone banking and reader services, TDD phone service, talking ATMs and printed materials for the vision-impaired.