MSR’s Youth Financial Education Series breaks down banking basics for young Black Minnesotans.
Finance
Posted inFinance
The tax break that skips the mothers it was built for
The head of household tax break was built for single mothers. Research shows it rewards higher earners most.
Posted inFinance
Predatory Auto Lending Exploits Black Consumers
A new report from the Center for Responsible Lending reveals how discriminatory auto financing and aggressive dealer tactics push Black borrowers into unaffordable loans and vehicle repossessions.
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Mid-Year Financial Reset: How can you tell if your finances are on track in 2026?
Hitting mid-2026 is the perfect opportunity to pause, take stock of your spending, and adjust your budget. Sunrise Banks breaks down how to perform a stress-free financial reset.
Posted inFinance
What Trump’s presidency means for Black economic mobility
Economic mobility isn’t just about income, it’s about housing, business capital, and healthcare access. As federal policy shifts rollback DEI programs and labor numbers show steep job losses among Black workers, economists weigh in on what lies ahead for Black wealth.
Posted inFinance
Cashless payment systems are the boring move every Black shop needs
Customer habits are shifting rapidly toward digital payments. For Black business owners, adopting a modern checkout setup isn’t just about convenience, it’s the foundational strategy for building credit and scaling operations.
Posted inYouth Financial Education
MSR Youth Financial Education Series: Javon Coen on Bowling Scholarships, Saving Smart, and Building Financial Discipline
A bowling scholarship changed Javon Coen’s life. Now heading into his senior year, he talks with MSR’s Prescott Jones about saving smart, working since 15, and why the years before adulthood are the best window to build financial discipline.
Posted inFinance
Don’t let fraud and scams ground your summer vacation
Summer travel season is prime time for scammers. In this JPMorgan Chase-sponsored piece, Chase community manager Antonio Carmona-Elias breaks down the most common travel scams, from fake vacation rentals to “free” trip offers, and how to protect your money.
Posted inFinance
How people are fighting back from unexpected expenses
Nearly half of Americans say an unexpected expense wrecked their finances in 2025. In a piece first published by Black Press USA, Arin Barry breaks down how people are building real financial resilience, from emergency funds to side hustles.
Posted inFinance
Student loan changes leave Black borrowers bracing for higher payments
Sweeping student loan changes took effect July 1, eliminating key repayment plans and leaving Black borrowers, who carry a disproportionate share of national debt, bracing for higher payments. Contributing writer Clint Combs reports on what advocates say borrowers need to know now.
Posted inYouth Financial Education
Goal setting: Mapping your short and long-term financial future
Joel Carrasquillo didn’t wait for a full-time salary to learn how money works. As he prepares to start his career with Vanguard, he talks about building financial habits early, and why financial literacy is bigger than any one person’s bank account.
Posted inFinance
Smart investment property decisions are helping build Black wealth
Investment property remains one of the most reliable paths to closing the racial wealth gap. Contributing writer Dax Janel Valencia breaks down how Black investors can build cash flow, equity and generational wealth through smart real estate decisions.
Posted inEducation
Federal student loan changes are coming: What you need to know
A new federal law is reshaping student loan repayment, cutting options for future borrowers and ending economic hardship deferment in 2027. Contributing writer Alfred D. Riddick, Jr. breaks down what Black families need to know now.
Posted inFinance
First Independence Bank opens new St. Paul location on University Avenue
First Independence Bank, the Twin Cities’ first Black-owned full-service bank, opened a new St. Paul location at 627 University Avenue West on June 24, bringing banking services to the Frogtown and Rondo neighborhoods with a mission to close the racial wealth gap.
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Your home is an investment. How to create generational wealth
Sponsored by JPMorganChase. Chase’s home lending team breaks down how homeownership builds generational wealth, from building equity and tax deductions to what happens when you sell and how to borrow against what you own.
Posted inFinance
Partnering with the Right Property Management Firm Can Be a Game-Changer for Black Investors
Black Press USA contributing writer Dax Janel Valencia explains how the right property management firm can help Black investors build generational wealth by transforming landlordship into passive income and freeing up time to expand their portfolio.
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Building financial confidence from the inside out
Operation HOPE financial coach Achante Brown is bringing nearly a decade of banking experience back to North Minneapolis, offering free one-on-one coaching through a U. S. Bank partnership that has served more than 230 clients on West Broadway.
Posted inFinance
How to create a budget that works for your monthly income
A strong budget brings order to financial pressure by giving every major expense a place, every goal a timeline and every spending decision a reason, starting with honest numbers and a framework you will actually use.
Posted inYouth Financial Education
Financial foundations: Distinguishing needs vs. wants
Sponsored by JPMorgan Chase. The second installment of MSR’s Youth Financial Education Series explores the difference between needs and wants through the experience of 25-year-old Alexis Harmon, who is using the 50/30/20 rule to build toward homeownership and financial stability.
Posted inEducation
Black Student Loan Default Rate Five Times Higher Than White BorrowersÂ
A coalition of civil rights and consumer advocates is urging the federal Education Department to halt plans to garnish wages of nearly 9 million student loan borrowers in default, warning the policy will disproportionately harm Black and older borrowers.