Occupy Movement Inspires Website of Portlanders' Banking Options

This release just came across The Skanner News' email:

NEW WEB RESOURCE HELPS OREGONIANS FIND LOCAL BANKS AND CREDIT UNIONS

Oregon Banks Local website provides comprehensive research of all banks and credits unions operating in Oregon

 

Today, a coalition of groups, including the Working Families Organization, the Rural Organizing Project, Good Grief America, Portland Jobs with Justice, Supportland and Real Wealth of Portland released a new online resource to help Oregonians evaluate their local banking options.  The website, Oregon Banks Local, includes the results of comprehensive research examining every bank and credit union doing business in Oregon to evaluate how local they are.

"Our goal is to help Oregonians ask the right questions when considering opening an account at a local financial institution," said Steve Hughes with the Working Families Organization.  "Looking local is a popular tactic that some banks and credit unions use to market themselves in our communities.  However, we felt there was a need to provide real, objective, and measurable data that actually cuts through the marketing campaigns and determines which banks and credit unions are truly local."

Banks and credit unions were scored in four different areas:

- Location of Headquarters

- Type of Ownership

- How many Branches located in Oregon

- Small Business and Family Farm Lending Practices

"Currently, 66% of private deposits here in Oregon are held by five Wall Street banks," said Jared Gardner with Oregon Banks Local.  "The Oregon Banks Local effort is about building a truly local and sustainable economy that keeps our money here in Oregon to rebuild our main streets and rural communities."

The release of this website aims to serve as a resource for those looking to move their money this coming Saturday, November 5th, on what is being called Bank Transfer Day.  Events are scheduled throughout the state:

- Friday, November 4th at 1pm in Medford

- Saturday, November 5th at 9am in Ashland - meeting at Ashland Plaza

- Saturday, November 5th at 9:30am in Portland - meeting at Terry Shrunk Plaza

Many local banks and credits unions are excited about the prospect of new customers.

"We are thrilled that more Portlanders are choosing to bank locally and are excited to welcome supporters of Oregon Banks Local to Northwest Resource for Saturday's Bank Transfer Day," said Kim Faucher with Northwest Resource Federal Credit Union.  "Our institution has been member owned and about people, not profit, since we opened our doors in 1935.  We can understand why consumers would be fed up with big bank fees, and we encourage them to make a smarter choice."

The Oregon Banks Local website can be found online at: www.oregonbankslocal.org