Omari Frazier, Chase Community Manager, joined the bank to work with the community to increase awareness of and access to resources, financial health tools, and services.
Community Managers understand the community’s challenges and are committed to helping individuals, families, and small business owners forge a strong financial future at any stage of their financial journey.
With the help of local nonprofit partners who are invested in driving change for Black communities in New Jersey, Chase is bringing together allies who share the bank’s goal of empowering people to improve and achieve financial health.
NJ Urban News sat down with Frazier to discuss his plans to help New Jersey’s Black communities grow and how people can work with him to chart their path forward and meet their financial goals.
NJ Urban News: How does your job differ from other Chase Bank Branch Managers?
Omari Frazier: My role is designed to meet the unique financial wellness needs of New Jersey’s Black community. We want to evolve from community banking to community building, and to do this; we’re actively working to reverse systemic inequalities across the financial system, break down economic barriers and support the success of our customers and our community. We plan to start by providing access to financial health resources, tools, and allies to help people achieve their financial goals. Think of a community manager as a neighbor who understands intentional relationship building and the financial needs of leaders, organizations, and people in the community. Meanwhile, a branch manager is a more traditional role created to help with everyday banking needs – like opening a bank account or offering advice on homeownership and small business growth.
NJ Urban News: How do you hope to empower the Black community in New Jersey financially?
Omari Frazier: I work in Paterson and am focused on this community, though I have colleagues around the state in Newark, Roselle, Trenton, and many other communities, working to empower people with tools to build generational wealth and a long-lasting legacy. Awareness and accessibility are key, and I see the local branch as an ideal place to begin fostering vital community connections and touchpoints to help our customers reach their financial goals. As a Community Manager, my job is to connect with the individuals, families, and business owners and increase awareness and utilization of available resources. My team and I will help the neighborhood take advantage of financial health tools, products, and services. We aim to boost general financial knowledge through unique and free interactive programs, such as Resources to support financial health, Home buying tips, and Educational and enrichment workshops such as resume writing and cybersecurity tips. Growth support for entrepreneurs starting or expanding their small businesses. While we’re just getting started, I hope to make a real difference in the lives of our community’s families, individuals, homeowners, and business owners.
NJ Urban News: What financial opportunities will you make available to Black communities?
Omari Frazier: I want to promote financial health, homeownership, and Black-owned businesses.
One of our priorities is to help individuals in our community open a checking account for the first time, as this is the key to financial stability and critical to closing gaps in access to banking. To do this, we’ll walk through our low-cost, no-overdraft checking accounts like Chase Secure Banking, which can offer security to those who might be new to banking or who have had trouble getting or keeping a bank account in the past. My team is also responsible for promoting growth among Black-owned small businesses – which means we’ll help local entrepreneurs secure loans. We’ve also brought on home lending advisors focused on helping more of the community secure the funds needed for affordable, sustainable homeownership. I’m excited for all the work ahead and invite people to visit a Chase branch to learn more.
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