Member Services
Bank On Certified Accounts
Bank On certified accounts meet national standards designed to help consumers identify safe, affordable transactional banking products.
How It Works
A Clear Standard for Everyday Banking
Bank On helps consumers identify safe and affordable transactional accounts that meet national standards established by the Cities for Financial Empowerment Fund.
Certification gives consumers a consistent way to recognize accounts with core features designed for everyday banking, while Bank On coalitions help connect residents with participating financial institutions in their communities.
National Standards
The CFE Fund’s National Account Standards establish baseline features for safe and affordable transactional bank accounts.
Account Certification
Accounts that meet the standards can receive Bank On certification, giving consumers a recognizable way to identify qualifying products.
Community Connection
Bank On coalitions work with financial institutions to connect consumers with certified accounts available in their communities.
Benefits
Why Offer a Bank On Certified Account?
Certification can help financial institutions connect with community partners, reach consumers seeking safe and affordable banking products, and support broader financial access efforts.
Community Opportunities
Certification can create additional opportunities for institutions to connect with Bank On coalitions and community-based programs.
- Public recognition highlighting your certified account locally and nationally.
- Eligibility to work with Bank On coalitions on programs that connect consumers with certified accounts.
- Access to the national Bank On certification seal for marketing and communications.
Sustainable Consumer Base
Certified accounts can help institutions serve consumers who are entering or returning to the financial mainstream.
- Reach consumers in your community who are unbanked or underbanked.
- Offer account features that address common consumer needs and expectations.
- Participate in public and community banking-access programs.
CRA Opportunities
Bank On-certified products may also support institutions’ Community Reinvestment Act activities and reporting.
- Bank On National Account Standards have been identified by banking regulators in connection with CRA-eligible activities.
- Participating institutions can use streamlined reporting through the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis Bank On National Data Hub.
Bank On certification is available at no cost for qualifying accounts through the Cities for Financial Empowerment Fund.
Account Certification
Two Paths to a Certified Account
Many banks already offer accounts that meet the Bank On National Account Standards and can apply directly for certification through the CFE Fund.
Institutions whose current accounts do not yet meet every standard can also work toward qualification, with support from core providers that have committed to simplifying the process.
Already Offer a Qualifying Account?
If an existing transactional account meets the Bank On National Account Standards, your institution can apply for certification through the CFE Fund.
- Review your account against the current National Account Standards.
- Submit the qualifying account for Bank On certification.
- Certification is available at no cost to qualifying institutions.
Need to Adapt an Account?
Banks that do not currently offer an account meeting every Bank On standard may still have a straightforward path toward creating a qualifying product.
- Compare your existing product features with the National Account Standards.
- Identify the features that would need to change before certification.
- Explore support available through participating core providers.
Ready to Get Started?
Apply for Bank On Certification
Certification applications are managed by the Cities for Financial Empowerment Fund.
About Bank On
A National Standard for Financial Access
Bank On brings financial institutions, community organizations and local coalitions together around a consistent standard for safe and affordable transactional accounts.
National Platform
Cities for Financial Empowerment Fund
The Bank On National Account Standards were created by the Cities for Financial Empowerment Fund, a national nonprofit organization supporting financial empowerment initiatives across the country.
Visit CFE Fund ↗Additional Resources
Financial Inclusion Resources
Bank On North Carolina
Questions About Bank On?
For questions about Bank On in North Carolina, participating coalitions or certified accounts, contact Marquita Robinson.