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ChoiceOne Bank, Sparta, MI

Entry Year: 2017
Entry Category: Economic Inclusion
Asset Size: Small
Program Name: Underserved Banking Outreach Program

Program Summary:

ChoiceOne Bank is a Community Bank in West Michigan situated in the heart of a heavy agricultural and farming community. Being a smaller bank with approximately 150 employees, we pride ourselves on using out of the box and visionary thinking to find solutions for customers within our communities.

ChoiceOne serves hundreds of locally owned farms which grow apples, blueberries, peaches, among other crops. Many of these farms employ seasonal help from Central and South America during the annual harvest, resulting in an influx of unbanked and Spanish speaking consumers. In addition, our communities have a high number of Spanish speaking permanent residents who can also struggle to get service in their preferred language.

Local farmers were struggling with a secure and fast way to pay these employees given that the majority do not have US bank accounts and are often unaware of their options. The most common way to make payments was via paper check which was then cashed, often at a check cashing facility with high fees. As a result, these employees kept large sums of cash which compromises their safety when crossing the border to return home. Each year, there are reports of employees that are robbed while on route home. In addition to check cashing fees, these employees also incur significant fees when sending money home to family via various money service providers.

ChoiceOne saw a need to better serve these employees, provide peace of mind to the farming community, and educate a group of consumers that is often taken advantage of. We worked to provide:
• Safe and secure ways for employees to be paid with minimal fees
• Financial education delivered directly to employees in Spanish
• Spanish speaking customer service