FDIC points to those under-served

The report says 53 percent of African-American households and 43 percent of Hispanic households use check cashing alternatives, including payday lenders and pawnbrokers, USA Today reported Wednesday.

The report compiled by the Census Bureau says 30 million households with or without bank accounts use alternative services to handle their finances.

Nine million households, including a fifth of households earning under $30,000 a year, have no bank account, the report to be released Wednesday says.

FDIC Vice Chairman Martin Gruenberg said, "there's a substantial segment of American households whose financial services needs aren't being adequately met."
The FDIC said it would promote "starter accounts," which have no minimum balance requirements and do not include automatic overdraft fees.

Beyond profits, "there has to be a greater responsibility for the community in which banks are located," said Valarie Wilson of the National Urban League Policy Institute.

Copyright 2009 by United Press International.