How can innovative investments and partnerships drive real economic change for communities in need? Fifth Third Bank recently announced the Accelerating Racial Equality, Equity, and Inclusion initiative, a $2.8 billion commitment to uplift historically marginalized people and communities. Today, in collaboration with Enterprise Community Partners, the bank is investing $180 million of that commitment in nine communities across its geographic footprint through the Neighborhood Investment Program. Hear from a panel of the project’s leaders about strategies to purposefully engage neighborhoods and local businesses, and find out what’s next for this initiative.

Recent analysis from the Financial Health Network found that Oportun installment loans cost significantly less over the life of the loan, compared with other loan products available to similar borrowers for near prime consumers or consumers without a credit score. The Financial Health Network’s proprietary True Cost of a Loan study, which reflects total costs to repay a loan fully, revealed that some competitor products will charge you more in interest and fees than the actual amount borrowed. In comparing those products to Oportun installment loans, Financial Health Network found that others charge an average of 6 times more than Oportun does, and in some cases as much as 24 times more. The True Cost of a Loan considers what goes into various types of loan products and provides ways to understand loan affordability.

Nearly two-thirds of workers say it’s becoming more difficult to keep up with financial obligations. As government stimulus programs end, how can organizations help those who are financially vulnerable build a stronger financial future? Watch Rob Levy, Vice President, Research and Measurement at the Financial Health Network, and Leston Welsh, Head of Business Segments for Prudential Group Insurance, discuss the latest reports from their respective organizations underscoring key needs and trends at a national level. Plus, learn what these findings emphasize for employers, along with solutions to support financial health for all employees.

Join us as we discuss the importance of developing equitable measures that encompass all areas of household resilience and prosperity, and how this data could better the economic landscape.

In this panel discussion, explore the power dynamics of traditional research methods and how practices are evolving to give voice to the communities and people they study.

Travel restrictions, stimulus checks, food bank lines, child tax credits... 2021 was full of unprecedented economic events that impacted financial health for different people and communities in vastly different ways. What does it all mean, and where is it all going? Join our concluding panel of leading experts from across sectors as they debate 2021's long-term impact on financial health across race, gender, geography, and more.

Hear from the authors of our annual assessment of U.S. financial health – the Financial Health Pulse® 2021 U.S. Trends report – as they share key findings from an eventful year.