Alcorn hosts community conversation with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau

Alcorn State, Miss. (September 20, 2013) – On September 17, Alcorn State University hosted community conversation held by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau featuring Director Richard Cordray and senior CFPB staff in the Dr. Clinton Bristow Jr. Dining Facility, Gold Room.

“The purpose of the meeting was to discuss challenges faced by our communities around the lack of access to financial institutions and college affordability,” said Dr. Betty Roberts, senior vice president for Finance and Administrative Services and CFO. “We have gathered a group of community leaders from our surrounding counties, including elected officials from the counties and cities, clergy, chambers of commerce, leaders in economic development and students.”

During the panel discussion, Director Cordray and the Bureau staff addressed a wide array of issues including educating students on understanding their student loans, low income community members access to loans and mortgages, and improving credit scores to name a few.

“We want people to understand what the Bureau does. We stand on the consumers’ side to make sure they are treated fairly,” shared Director Cordray. “We have a mandate to monitor markets such as mortgages, credit cards, bank loans, debt collection, and international money transfers to see what problems individuals have and to address these problems. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau is a way to protect people and a way to look out for them across the country.”

For financial questions and concerns, please visit the Bureau’s web site at www.consumerfinance.gov or call 855.411.2372.