State reaching out to 'unbanked' Hoosier households

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) - Ten percent of the households in Indiana are "unbanked." They have no accounts with a bank or credit union. State Treasurer Richard Mourdock hopes to change that with a program called Bank on Indiana.

The program calls for financial institutions, non-profits and the state to educate people on the need for banking services.

The City of Evansville started a Bank on Evansville program earlier this year and, in six months, 324 people used it to open a bank account.

Evansville Mayor Jonathan Weinzapfel said it gives people, "The opportunity to get into the financial mainstream, give them a second chance, make sure they have the financial education to maintain those accounts. And then, of course eventually, improve the quality of life for them and their families."

The state will operate an interactive Web site as part of the program. Mourdock said that having a bank account helps people land jobs and stay secure in their homes.