Bringing HOPE to DeKalb RBC Bank, Cochran-Johnson partner on financial literacy training

DeKalb County residents now have a free ticket to Financial Literacy101. A new partnership between RBC Bank and DeKalb County is bringing financial literacy coaching and education through a project called Operation HOPE. The initiative, led by DeKalb County District 7 Commissioner Lorraine Cochran-Johnson, is designed to help county residents take control of their finances.

Officials and community leaders gathered on Sept. 25 for a ribbon-cutting celebration to mark the launch of HOPE Inside RBC Bank DeKalb, located at the AEI StartUp Factory, 7310 Stonecrest Concourse in the city of Stonecrest.

Operation HOPE Founder, Chairman, and Chief Executive Officer John Hope Bryant attended the event, saying he is looking forward to launching the program in DeKalb and transforming lives.

“Our vision is to create a stronger, more inclusive economy through financial empowerment – and financial dignity,” said Bryant. “Think of the difference our programs make in people’s lives as they improve their credit scores by 100 points or more. Think about the impact on families and communities as more people and more local businesses succeed. And consider the new investments and jobs that come to communities where people are financially secure. We are proud to partner with RBC Bank and Commissioner Lorraine Cochran-Johnson to bring meaningful impact to the residents of this county and beyond.”

Cochran-Johnson said she plans to continue helping improve their lives and making DeKalb the best that it can be.

“I am committed to ensuring all people, regardless of their socioeconomic background or circumstances have access to resources that improves their lives. Government is about people, not politics. As an elected official, I am proud to help our county move towards green communities with progressive, healthy credit scores and viable homeowners,” said Cochran-Johnson.

Offered at no cost to participants, HOPE Inside RBC Bank DeKalb includes financial wellbeing coaches providing educational workshops and one-on-one coaching on credit and money management, homeownership preparedness, and small business development. Sponsored by RBC Bank, the HOPE Inside office is the first to open in DeKalb County. DeKalb County Super District 7 will provide the funding for the office space as part of the partnership.

“We are excited and honored to sponsor HOPE Inside RBC Bank DeKalb and to partner with Commissioner Cochran-Johnson and Operation HOPE,” said Melanie Kandil, Chief Compliance Officer for RBC Bank. “Financial empowerment changes lives. By helping consumers take control of their finances, this partnership is helping them take control of their future and achieve their dreams of financial stability and even homeownership.”

HOPE Inside clients are equipped with the fundamentals to build their own businesses, raise their FICO scores, buy homes, or simply make better decisions with the money they have. The HOPE Financial Wellbeing Coach provides financial education to help individuals better understand banking products, budget wisely, minimize debt, save, and invest in their future. Clients learn the basics of making a budget, how to read a credit report, and what they can do to correct errors that may negatively affect credit ratings. The coaching also covers the client’s rights as a consumer and helps with understanding how to make the most of them.

“Our vision is to create a stronger, more inclusive economy through financial empowerment – and financial dignity,” said Operation HOPE Founder, Chairman, and Chief Executive Officer, John Hope Bryant. “Think of the difference our programs make in people’s lives as they improve their credit scores by 100 points or more. Think about the impact on families and communities as more people and more local businesses succeed. And consider the new investments and jobs that come to communities where people are financially secure. We are proud to partner with RBC Bank and Commissioner Lorraine Cochran-Johnson to bring meaningful impact to the residents of this county and beyond.”

In 27 years, Operation HOPE has served more than 4 million individuals and directed over $3.2 billion in economic activity into disenfranchised communities—impacting 1,467 U.S. cities and towns. Through the HOPE 700 Credit Score Communities initiative, the focus of raising client FICO scores to 700 is at the foundation of all HOPE Inside programming.