UAPB interns train to support community regional financial Institution

JACKSON, MS – Two University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff (UAPB) students, John James, Jr. and Tina Daniels were among twelve new staff members of Hope Enterprise Corporation and HOPE Federal Credit Union. The placement of UAPB students is part of a comprehensive partnership between the Economic Research and Development Center (ERDC) and the Office of Career Services at UAPB with Hope Enterprise Corporation. This partnership is aimed at supporting small businesses via the UAPB Business Support Incubator.

HOPE was created to serve as a financial institution for individuals and communities that otherwise may not be able to access the services they need from traditional financial institutions. National and local trends have resulted in many economically distressed communities that are left without mainstream banking resources, leaving local residents vulnerable to predatory and sub-prime companies. These individuals often find their assets being stripped away by pawn shops, check cashing outlets, payday lenders, and cash for title operations.

Since 1994, HOPE has generated over $1.7 billion in financing for entrepreneurs, homebuyers and community development projects, and assisted more than 130,000 individuals in low-income communities throughout the Mid-South. The corporation will be poised to offer financial services to residents, and also assist ERDC in carrying out its economic and community development agenda in Pine Bluff and Southeastern Arkansas.

For more information, contact: Mr. Henry Golatt, Director, UAPB Economic Research and Development Center at 870-575-8030 or golatth@uapb.edu; Ms. Mary Jones, Director of Career Services and Admissions at 870-575-8461/575-8492 or jonesm@uapb.edu; or Ms. Pearl Wicks, Senior Vice President- Retail Administration, Hope Enterprise Corporation at 601-944-1100 or pwicks@HOPECU.org.

(Photo Courtesy of Hope Enterprise Corporation) Left to Right: Evelyn Sims, Crystal Landfair, Priscille Jackson, Genevieve Legacy, John James, Tina Daniels, Michele Jack (Human Resources), Gashion Cotton, John Kalahar, Tracy Bland, Paula Courtney Reeves, Betty Brown, and Courtney Reeves.