Ponce Bank one of the last surviving local banks in The Bronx
As more New Yorkers are opening bank accounts every day, the Bronx borough continues to struggle with the highest rate of families without access to financial services in the city.
More Stories
The Bronx continues to have the highest percentage of families without access to basic financial services in the city, but a local community bank says it is working to change that.
Ponce Bank, headquartered in the Castle Hill section of the Bronx, is focused on expanding financial access in neighborhoods long considered “bank deserts,” where traditional banking options are scarce.
“We are not about maximizing profit,” said Carlos Naudon, president and CEO of Ponce Bank. “What we are all about is helping people grow and prosper.”
Naudon said when he entered the banking industry in the 1970s, there were 13 banks headquartered in the Bronx. Today, only two remain.
That abandonment hit communities that were already struggling, said Naudon, noting that many Bronx residents — particularly immigrants — were left without access to loans, credit or pathways to financial growth.
According to city data, more than 13% of Bronx families are unbanked, a rate significantly higher than the national average.
Ponce Bank operates three branches across the borough and focuses on providing basic financial tools, such as checking and savings accounts, small business loans and mortgages.
“What we provide are financial instruments — bank accounts, loans, mortgages — so people can grow their businesses, grow their personal wealth and pass it on to the next generation,” Naudon said.
The bank recently received a $35 million deposit from New York state, allowing it to expand services for underserved communities. The funding will also support small local businesses and help finance free financial education programs.
Ponce Bank offers year-round financial literacy and “financial mastery” courses at no cost, covering topics ranging from balancing a budget to applying for a loan.
“We teach everything from how to manage your books to how to deal with the bank,” Naudon said.
