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Banking At The Post Office? Some Greensboro Residents Want To Make It Happen

Civic leaders and other advocacy groups are meeting in Greensboro Wednesday to demand new and improved postal services. The United States Postal Service has been facing financial difficulties for years. Advocates say that broadening their services could be a lifeline for the struggling institution.

The idea of a postal service that does more than deliver mail is actually an old one. Back in the early 20th century, your neighborhood post office could also be your bank, a concept used in many other countries. Those in gathering in Greensboro, including U.S. Rep. Alma Adams, want to revive that here.

UNCG economist Andrew Brod says this could do two things: bring more money to the postal service, and offer banking services to low-income residents, who are most likely to resort to predatory lending.

“Various safeguards could be put into place, various financial educations, literacy, to ensure that working class people have access to short-term credit options,” Brod says.

This comes as a growing number of lawmakers in Washington say the postal service is out-of-date and should be privatized. They say it will improve efficiency at a time when more and more people now use email and other technologies as their primary means of communication.

Bethany is WFDD's editorial director. She joined the staff in the fall of 2012. She received her B.A. and M.A. in English Literature from Wake Forest University. Between undergraduate studies and graduate school, Bethany served as the intern to Talk of the Nation at NPR in D.C., participating in live NPR Election Night Coverage, Presidential debate broadcasts, regular Talk of the Nation shows, and helping to plan the inaugural broadcast of ‘Talk of the World.' She enjoys engaging with her interests in books, politics, and art in the interdisciplinary world of public radio. Before becoming editorial director, Bethany was assistant news Director, a reporter and associate producer for WFDD's Triad Arts and Triad Arts Weekend. Originally from Jacksonville, Florida, Bethany enjoys calling the Piedmont home.

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