For more information on Southern's ADA Compliance efforts, please visit our Accessibility Page

Deferred Dreams: How Unmanageable and Abusive Debt Hinder Savings and Economic Security to be discussed during public webinar on Wednesday, August 19.

LITTLE ROCK, ARK – Southern Bancorp Community Partners (SBCP) recently published “Deferred Dreams: How Unmanageable and Abusive Debt Hinder Savings and Economic Security,” a policy brief that explores how historic levels of debt have proved an impediment for Arkansans to achieve their dreams.

The brief, written by Janie Ginocchio, MPA, SBCP’s Director of Public Policy and Advocacy, goes into detail about the different types of debt and challenges that are inhibiting Arkansans’ ability to build wealth. Auto, credit card and student loans play a substantial role along with racial disparities, increased education costs and the increased cost of homes. The brief also offers policy recommendations for combating debt challenges, such as reinvesting in higher education, increasing federal protections for student borrowers, and modernizing debt collection exemptions

SBCP will host a webinar on the topic in the form of their Policy Points webinar series titled: The impact of debt on economic security in Arkansas on Wednesday, August 19. Dr. Karama Neal, President of Southern Bancorp Community Partners, will moderate a discussion with four experts in their respective fields about the different ways that debt and debt collection practices are holding Arkansans back.

Panelists include Cecille Doan from the Center for Arkansas Legal Services, Ben Goodwin of Our House, Inc., Amy Dunn Johnson, Arkansas Access to Justice Commission, and Alden Napier from Credit Counselors of Arkansas. The webinar is from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM CST.  This event is free and open to the public. Register today at https://southernpartners.org/webinar. 

Deferred Dreams: How Unmanageable and Abusive Debt Hinder Savings and Economic Security can be found at https://southernpartners.org/deferred.