Accessibility links
Why Banks Are Failing Millions In America : 1A The Federal Reserve estimates there are more than sixty million Americans who are either unbanked or underbanked.

That means around one in five adults in the U.S. rely on services like money orders, payday loans, or check cashing to manage their finances. They often avoid banks because of short-term fees, but other services can be even more expensive over time. Many also avoid traditional banking because of distrust for financial institutions.

As part of this year's Aspen Ideas Festival, we recently spoke to three guests who are all deeply invested in rebuilding that trust and changing a financial system that excludes too many.

We discuss why traditional banking is failing so many Americans and how the system can be fixed.

Want to support 1A? Give to your local public radio station and subscribe to this podcast. Have questions? Find us on Twitter @1A.

1A

Why Banks Are Failing Millions In America

Why Banks Are Failing Millions In America

  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1111119623/1111124828" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
Enlarge this image

(Photo by John Moore/Getty Images) John Moore/Getty Images hide caption

toggle caption
John Moore/Getty Images

(Photo by John Moore/Getty Images)

John Moore/Getty Images

The Federal Reserve estimates there are more than sixty million Americans who are either unbanked or underbanked.

That means around one in five adults in the U.S. rely on services like money orders, payday loans, or check cashing to manage their finances. They often avoid banks because of short-term fees, but other services can be even more expensive over time. In 2018, the unbanked and underbanked spent nearly $200 billion on interest and fees. Many also avoid traditional banking because of distrust for financial institutions.

As part of this year's Aspen Ideas Festival, we recently spoke to three guests who are all deeply invested in rebuilding that trust and changing a financial system that excludes too many.

Why is traditional banking failing so many Americans? And how can we fix the system?

Wole Coaxum, Ida Rademacher, and Shamina Singh join us for the conversation.

Like what you hear? Find more of our programs online.