Move Your Money

Interested in finding a way to start off the New Year by making a difference? Perhaps it could be as simple as moving your money.

As most of you have likely already caught on to, there has been a movement started to try and get American to move their money from larger banks to more community based banks and credit unions. I personally liked reading the great success stories from the movement.

While it might not work for everyone, I do believe that collectively it can affect large banks and give a great infusion to smaller banks to be able to further develop a network of smaller, but stronger banks.

You can check out this video for more info as well.

My twin sister and I were having this debate over the holidays before I had come across the concept as a wider idea. She switched over to Albina Community Bank in Portland, Oregon and I think now at last will get her husband to move over as well. They used to bank with WaMu, which has since been taken over by Chase. Albina does some incredible community programs that really make an impact in the inner Portland area, so it is a win-win situation.

I only wish there was as good of an option here in DC. I used the bank finder on the Move Your Money site to see what was in our area. It looks like a couple of tiny banks that aren’t likely to have the online capability that I need while I’m out of the country. I have all my money in ING Direct, so it is likely to have less of an impact in the states as it is European owned.

Readers: I’d love to hear if you are willing to move your bank or if you are already at a community based bank.

Cheers,

Miel