Sponsored by JPMorgan Case & Co.
In a world of online tools that let you make banking transactions with the touch of a button, the idea of visiting a branch might seem unnecessary.
However, if you haven’t visited the Chase branch on campus , you might be surprised by what it has to offer. The university’s first campus branch on Georgia Ave is much more than a place to deposit and withdraw money – it can offer the opportunity to build valuable relationships with people who can help you achieve financial independence, such as branch manager Presley Nelson who is also an HU alumni
To learn more we sat down with Diedra Porché, Head of Community and Business Development at Chase, to talk about how the bank model has evolved to maximize the branch experience for customers; how connecting with your local branch team can help you think differently about money and investing for your future.
Q: How can a customer feel connected to a bank branch?
I love that question because we ask ourselves the same thing every day. Being part of the community means meeting with local leaders to find out what they need from us and then designing our branches around that. For example, at some of our community branches we have what we call a living room where we can host financial workshops, small business pop-up shops or nonprofit organization meetings. We also hire locally. You feel much more connected talking about financial aspirations with people from your community who went to the same college, place of worship or maybe frequented the same recreation center down the street.
Q: How can I build a relationship with my bank?
Students should feel comfortable sharing their goals, needs and wants with their banker. You might have a short-term or long-term goal to open a business, build your credit, become debt-free, buy a car, or save for a trip, and our community team can help. At Chase, we strive to make dreams possible for everyone, everywhere, every day. Your financial future starts with building those relationships.
Q: What’s an easy step a student can take to shift their financial behavior right now?
Cultivating self-awareness is a good first step. Start by taking inventory of your spending. Be honest with yourself about what you need and what you want. Too often, people confuse the two, which leads to bad decisions. Rent is something you need to pay. An extra pair of shoes is something you may want but before you buy them ask yourself if that’s the best use of your hard earned money. Too often, our beliefs and our fears shape our financial realities. If any of those beliefs are limiting your financial behavior, it’s important to question and examine them, and then decide you’re open to learning something different.
Q: What’s one perception about banking that you’d like to change?
I think folks are surprised there are so many resources available and accessible both at our branches and online, it’s always a good idea to visit a nearby branch and speak to a banker. Outside of what we offer in-branch, our teams also work with local neighborhood partners who provide a variety of services to support the community, businesses and residents. I had a unique piece of feedback from an employee who started with the bank and had lived in the same community his whole life. When he visited his local community branch, he said, “Diedra, when I walked in, I felt dignified.” Every time I recount that story, it warms my heart because that’s what we want — we want our centers to belong to the community.
