A Pathway to Strong Credit

J.D. and his wife, Nancy, spent seven years in Asia as missionaries before returning to the U.S. with a plan to make their home in Memphis, Tenn., and conduct educational outreach to children in the Frayser community, an underserved area of the city that is one of two focus neighborhoods for a
grant HOPE and other organizations received from JP Morgan Chase to support investment. The couple settled into an apartment and one of the first financial goals they set was to re-establish credit. The couple was referred to HOPE by the local Career Development Center. At HOPE, a financial team worked with them to open a savings account and approve a credit-building loan. J.D. says it was a relief to work with an institution that “had open arms instead of one that put up barriers.” The couple’s plan is to get into a financial position to eventually become homebuyers.