Investors Bank representatives Linda Martin, Senior Market Manager, far right and Maria Cartagena, Assistant Vice President/Branch Manager, Chambersburg Branch, far left, present one of two checks to Isles, Inc. Accepting the check are John Hart Chief Operating Officer and Peter Rose Executive Director of Isles Community Enterprises.
Residents in Central New Jersey struggling with money management and savings have a little less to worry about, thanks in part to two $5,000 grants, one from the Investors Bank Foundation and one from Roma Bank Community Foundation to Isles, Inc. Isles’ money management and credit improvement service, Isles Financial Solutions (IFS), is designed to help residents like food service worker Marvin Vasquez take charge of their financial futures.
Before Vasquez, a cook at Princeton University, joined IFS, he had little knowledge of money management and was starting to mount debt on his credit card. Now, after using the services of IFS, his credit score has improved, he has lowered his debt, began saving money and established a budget.
Isles applied for the grants through Investors Foundation, which supports non-profit organizations that enrich the diverse communities served by Investors Bank; Roma Bank became part of Investors Bank in early 2014. The grant from Investors Foundation will be used for IFS, while the grant from Roma Bank will be used for general operating support.
Through IFS, individuals and families can learn how to better manage money, make and keep a budget and save for the future. IFS helps pay off high-cost debt through credit builder loans.
IFS only is offered through employers, and provides workplace solutions to everyday financial problems. Through IFS, persons receive: credit analysis and action plan; one-on-one budget counseling; KickStart savings account; Stay Ahead Fund; automated bill payment set-up and monitoring; financial education; tax preparation assistance; online and group support; first-time homebuyer assistance; foreclosure prevention assistance; and emergency and credit building loans.
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