University of Wisconsin - Extension

Imagine trying to pay your bills without a checking account, always struggling to have cash or a money order in hand. The Get Checking¿ program gives individuals without a primary banking relationship the skills they need to successfully manage checking and savings accounts.

Collaboration is key

Get Checking, which originated in Milwaukee County by a coalition of local banks, credit unions, social service agencies and utilities, is coordinated by University of Wisconsin-Extension Milwaukee County. Participants receive six hours of instruction and skill-development training dealing with the how-tos of checking and saving accounts. Upon completion, participants receive a certificate allowing them to open a checking and/or savings account at a participating financial institution. Financial institutions agree to waive their standard requirements and open accounts for graduates, even if they have had difficulties managing an account in the past.

UW-Extension, UW-Milwaukee Outreach, Consumer Credit Counseling Service of Milwaukee, the Social Development Commission and 18 sponsoring financials have implemented the program since August 1998. In 2002 the program expanded to Waukesha County in cooperation with UW-Extension Waukesha County. Collaboration is the key. Working with other agencies enriches and strengthens the program, and the financial institutions provide the motivation and incentives for participants.

Get Checking accomplishments in Milwaukee County

As of December 2001, 1,012 individuals had participated in Get Checking classes and 90 percent (914) had received certificates.

In 2001, 97percent of those attending completed the program. Over 90 percent of respondents to an evaluation indicated they increased their confidence in choosing and maintaining their account.

In 2000, 86 percent completed the program. In a survey of 133 Get Checking graduates from 2000, 83 percent (110) had opened an account since taking the class. All respondents who opened an account indicated they were very satisfied with that account and maintained it for at least one year.

Expanding statewide and nationally

In 2000, with support from eFunds Corp., UW-Extension developed a standardized curriculum package for use by educators across the country. The program is being implemented in 28 communities across the country, including five in Wisconsin.

For more information: Kim Terry, (414) 290-2422, kim.terry@ces.uwex.edu

Get Checking partners

Milwaukee/Waukesha counties

Financial institutions:

Alliance Credit Union

Anchor Bank

Appletree Credit Union

Educators Credit Union

Firstar Bank N.A.

Great Midwest Bank S.S.B.

Guaranty Bank S.S.B

Guardian Credit Union

Landmark Credit Union

Legacy Bank

Mutual Savings Bank

North Shore Bank

St. Francis Bank

State Financial Bank

Sunset Bank

TCF Bank, F.S.B.

UW Credit Union

Wells Fargo Bank

Class facilitators:

UW-Extension Milwaukee County and Waukesha County

Consumer Credit Counseling Services of Milwaukee

Social Development Commission

UW-Milwaukee Outreach Division

Corporate sponsors:

Wisconsin Energy Corporation

Wisconsin Credit Union League

National corporate partner:

eFunds Corp.