Get Checking

Get Checking is a program that helps individuals that do not have a primary banking relationship with a financial institution to open a checking or savings account. This includes people who have never had a relationship with a financial institution as well as those who have had an unsuccessful relationship in the past.

Participants receive six hours of instruction and skill development training specific to managing checking and/or savings accounts. Upon completion, a certificate is granted which allows the individual to open an account at a participating financial institution. Class participants also learn about the products and services offered through financial institutions.

Opening and maintaining an account is the first step toward establishing credit. After credit has been established, individuals can work toward achieving personal financial goals – such as owning a home.

Get Checking was originated by a coalition of local banks, credit unions, social service agencies, lenders and utilities coordinated by UW-Extension Milwaukee County Housing and Financial Management Educator, Kim Terry. Consumer Credit Counseling Service of Milwaukee, UW-Extension, and three sponsoring financials piloted this program with great success in 1998. Get Checking now includes 19 local financial institutions as program partners. The program has been so successful that it has been adopted in communities around the state and the nation.

Sign Up for a Class

If you are interested in learning more about class registration in Milwaukee or Waukesha, please download:

• Get Checking brochure ( 823 KB, 2 pages)
• Class Schedule 2007 ( 9 KB, 1 page)
• Class Schedule 2008 ( 15 KB, 1 page)

To sign up for a class, call Consumer Credit Counseling Services of Greater Milwaukee,
(414) 345-4419 or Social Development Commission, (414) 906-2834. The registration fee is $40 for one person or $60 for a couple. See the brochure for more information.

Become a Financial Institution Partner

If you are interested in becoming a Get Checking financial institution partner, contact
Cynthia Muhar at 414-290-2420 or cynthia.muhar@ces.uwex.edu.

For More Information

For more information regarding the Get Checking program, visit www.getchecking.org.