Stearns Bank, a well-capitalized, national financial services institution, and Operation HOPE announced today that they have partnered to provide free financial counseling at the bank’s St. Cloud, Minnesota branch. The Operation HOPE program, known as HOPE Inside, offers in-person group and one-on-one financial coaching sessions at no-cost to help individuals build savings, reduce debt and improve credit scores as well as support entrepreneurs in starting or growing their small businesses.

“We’re thrilled to be partnering with Operation HOPE to offer free financial resources, tools and guidance for our customers nationwide,” said John Burden, Vice President, Bank Relationships and Branch Management at Stearns Bank. “This strategic partnership aligns with our commitment to empowering customers and communities to reach their full economic potential and building a more inclusive banking ecosystem.”

Through the partnership, Stearns Bank employees refer customers to a professional Operation HOPE financial well-being coach, who can provide in-person and virtual counseling on credit improvement, money management, and small business development. For more than 30 years, Operation HOPE’s award-winning model of community uplift has been serving adults, youth, disaster survivors and employees of some of the country’s leading corporations with financial programs to equip them with the financial knowledge and tools to build a secure future. HOPE Inside has helped 70% of clients increase their savings by an average of $1,100, 64% of clients improve credit scores by an average of 39 points, and 43% of clients reduce debt by an average of $1,893.

“We are excited to partner with Stearns Bank, which has a strong tradition of championing inclusive growth that aligns with Operation HOPE’s unwavering commitment to helping individuals build personal financial empowerment,” said John Hope Bryant, Founder, Chairman and CEO of Operation HOPE. “By working together, we can provide valuable tools and guidance that will support not only individuals but also small business owners in achieving their financial goals. We believe this partnership will help people unlock their full economic potential and navigate today’s ever-evolving economy with confidence.”

About Operation HOPE, Inc.

Since 1992, Operation HOPE has been moving America from civil rights to "silver rights" with the mission of making free enterprise and capitalism work for the underserved—disrupting poverty for millions of low and moderate-income youth and adults across the nation. Through its community uplift model, HOPE Inside, which received the 2016 Innovator of the Year recognition by American Banker magazine, Operation HOPE has served more than 4 million individuals and directed more than $3.2 billion in economic activity into disenfranchised communities—turning check-cashing customers into banking customers, renters into homeowners, small business dreamers into small business owners, minimum wage workers into living wage consumers, and uncertain disaster victims into financially empowered disaster survivors. For more information: OperationHOPE.org. Follow the HOPE conversation on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram or LinkedIn.

About Stearns Bank

Stearns Bank National Association is a majority women-owned and governed financial services institution committed to empowering people, entrepreneurs, small businesses, and local communities to reach their full financial potential. As a privately held, employee-owned entity, Stearns Bank offers a wide array of national products and services including consumer and small business banking, affordable housing financing, USDA and SBA lending, and equipment and small business financing. Headquartered in Minnesota, the well-capitalized institution has branch locations in Minnesota, Florida, and Arizona. Guided by a commitment to fostering a diverse, inclusive, and equitable workplace, Stearns Bank is regularly recognized as one of the nation’s highest performing banks and ‘Best Banks to Work For’ by American Banker. Member FDIC. Equal Housing Lender. Learn more at www.StearnsBank.com.

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