Local Return celebrated Move Your Money Month this April with many calls to learn, consider, and act. We are all economic actors, and our financial behaviors matter. Moving even just some of our money from Wall Street to main streets is something we can do to strengthen our local economy. Whether it’s banking, buying, or investing local, there are plenty of ways to start small.
30-Day Challenge
Thirty people participated in the 30-Day Move Your Money Month Challenge, receiving daily prompts, resources, and exercises. Three people received the Move Your Money Month badge, and five won gift cards to their favorite local coffee shops.
Press Conference
We hosted a bank local press conference with our partners at Hope & Main. Community banks and credit unions exist to serve local residents and businesses. They use our deposits to make investments in our community. Loan approvals and other decisions are made by people who live here, have relationships with their customers, and understand local needs. In contrast, big banks aren’t connected to the places where they operate, and they use Rhode Island deposits to make investments elsewhere. They also devote a sizable share of resources to Wall Street bets that may generate big profits for the bank but offer little value for the rest of us.
Yard Signs
And yard signs are popping up around the state, urging people to choose local. We’re still trying to cover every one of Rhode Island’s cities and towns. If you would like to host a yard sign, reach out to Jessica.
Thank you to Bank Newport for making these Move Your Money Month activities possible with generous grant support.
