An Informed Discussion of the Financial Access for Immigrants

This event was held on Wednesday, December 17, 2003, at the Indianapolis Marriott Downtown in Indianapolis, Indiana, and was sponsored by the Consumer and Community Affairs Division of the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago, and the Indiana State Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (ISHCC).

Participants gained valuable insights from experts who addressed issues and opportunities surrounding financial access for immigrants. Topics included: demographic background and interpretation of Indiana's growing immigrant population; social and economic participation issues confronting newly arrived immigrants; workforce development and matters facing employers of immigrants; a banker's perspective that includes experiences with and best practices for pursuing emerging immigrant markets; views of the Mexican government regarding Mexican nationals, remittances and the Consular Identification Card; and issues stemming from efforts to increase homeownership and entrepreneurship among immigrants. Also, a panel of government representatives discussed documentation and identification issues confronting immigrants, including the USA Patriot Act.