The South Bend Financial Empowerment Center offers no-cost, one-on-one, professional financial counseling as a public service to all City of South Bend residents. Our counselors are trained to help you achieve your financial goals!

The FEC focuses on the areas of banking, credit, debt, and savings. Our counselors work with clients on: • General money management • Take control of your debt and reduce delinquent accounts • Build and improve your credit • Build your savings • Create a budget and create a plan to stick to it • Learn effective financial habits • Find safe and affordable financial products • Other financial services based on your needs

Our FEC Staff is trained and certified through the Cities for Financial Empowerment (CFE) Fund curriculum. All staff is required to complete training courses, pass certification exams, and complete at least 30 hours of continuing education credits every year.

The only eligibility requirements to be a client of the FEC is: • Be a City of South Bend resident • Be 18+ There are no income limits, documentation, or program restrictions. All City of South Bend Employees over 18 are exempt from the residency requirement and are eligible to use the FEC.

Your initial session with a counselor will last about 60 - 90 minutes. Any session after that will last about 30 - 45 minutes.

There are no costs or fees to be a client of the SBFEC! It is a free a public service to City of South Bend residents.

You are not required to bring any documentation for the first session. However, documents such as your ID, paystubs, account statements, bills and other relevant financial documents are always helpful.

You are welcome to meet with the FEC counselor as many times as you need and for however long you need. Typically, clients meet with a counselor every 2 week to once a month. You and your counselor will be able to work out a timeline that works best to help you achieve your goals.