FINANCIAL SERVICE CENTERS OF NEW YORK LAUNCHES STATE-WIDE VOTER PROGRAM

NEW YORK, NY, June 1, 2010 -- Millions of New Yorkers currently are not registered to vote. In response, Financial Service Centers of New York (FSCNY) has launched its “Democracy for All” state-wide, non-partisan voter registration campaign. The program started on June 1st and will run through September 30th. Throughout the campaign, FSCNY members’ stores will display posters and decals, both in English and Spanish, promoting the importance of registering to vote. Voter registration forms also will be available at the approximately 400 stores across the state participating in the initiative.

The voter registration campaign is one component of FSCNY’s comprehensive community outreach program. Other elements in 2010 have included:

·         The Haiti Relief Effort that raised almost $300,000;

·         A partnership with the U.S. Census Bureau to promote the 2010 Census, and

·         The expansion of the “Money & Me” financial education program. To date 2,350 students from 18 schools in Manhattan, Brooklyn and the Bronx have participated in this unique initiative. 

“The FSCNY “Democracy for All” voter registration program is a public service campaign that is especially relevant to our industry given that many of the millions of New Yorkers who are not registered are our members’ customers,” said Jason Carballo, President of FSCNY. “Voting is the most basic form of participation in our democracy, and FSCNY is pleased that this initiative will help enfranchise so many New Yorkers.”

About FSCNY

The Financial Service Centers of New York is the industry’s leading voice on legislative, regulatory and business issues and the leading advocate for the rights of consumers to access basic financial services in New York. The New York check cashing industry consists of approximately 700 check cashing locations, which employ nearly 4,000 New York residents. The industry annually cashes more than 30 million checks with a face value of nearly $15 billion. New York has the second-lowest check cashing fee in the nation at 1.83%.