Banks Buy HOPE Centers

Hawthorne Savings, FSB and California National Bank recently made banking history when they bought two of the first banking centers in the U.S. to be organized and developed by an outside non-profit organization. Operation HOPE in Los Angeles formed the centers and cyber cafes following the Los Angeles riots of 1992 to encourage access to financial help and guidance in underserved communities. It will continue to provide counseling, case management, economic education, loan preparation and other services while the banks will provide financial services such as new accounts, lending and small business aid.

Copyright © 2002 Bankers' Hotline. Originally appeared in Bankers' Hotline, Vol. 12, No. 7, 9/02