In May of 2025, Neighborhood Allies expanded our Bank On Allegheny County initiative—an effort designed to help unbankedand underbanked residents access safe, affordable checking accounts and build long-term financial stability—into a new and critical setting: the Allegheny County Jail (ACJ). 

Through a partnership with ACJ and First Commonwealth Bank, participants who are preparing to re-enter the community can now take part in a 6-week, 12-session financial education cohort. The curriculum covers core topics like budgeting, credit building, debt repair, and even entrepreneurship. What makes this program unique is that all classes are taught by front-line bank staff—branch managers, relationship bankers, and other professionals who show up week after week to build trust, answer questions, and help residents envision a different financial future. 

Together, we’ve also worked through the practical hurdles that often prevent returning citizens from opening bank accounts, including creating a pathway for individuals to meet the ID requirements under Know Your Customer regulations. With a trusted banking partner at the table and ACJ leadership committed to innovation, we’re removing real barriers that have historically kept people disconnected from mainstream financial systems. 

A Story of What’s Possible 

“It is not often we hear good things that happen here at the jail. This one was important to share.”

The impact of this work showed up in a powerful way this fall. 

A clerk at ACJ shared a story with her team that quickly made its way to us—and reminded everyone why this program matters.

One participant, who had recently completed the financial education classes, was released with the standard amount of $50 in cash and a check for the remaining balance of his commissary account. As part of the standard release process, the clerk asked if he had a way to cash his check. His response carried a confidence—and a sense of hope—that many returning citizens do not get to experience. 

He proudly shared that thanks to the banking classes offered at ACJ with First Commonwealth Bank, he now knew exactly what to do. He planned to visit Stephanie, one of the bank employees who taught his class, first thing that morning to open his first-ever bank account. 

He said he felt grateful. He said he finally felt like he was starting off on the right foot. And he couldn’t stop talking about how the program— and the people running it—had given him the tools and encouragement he needed. 

As one staff member put it: “It is not often we hear good things that happen here at the jail. This one was important to share.” 

Why This Matters 

Financial stability is one of the most critical predictors of successful re-entry. Research shows that people leaving incarceration often face significant financial barriers—limited access to bank accounts, difficulty meeting identification requirements, and a heavy reliance on high-cost services like check cashers and payday lenders. These barriers can drain resources during the earliest and most vulnerable days after release and increase the risk of financial instability. (Sources: U.S. Department of the Treasury; Corrections1; ScienceDirect)

By offering financial education tied directly to a banking partner willing to show up and build trust, we’re helping to ensure that returning citizens have a stable foundation the moment they walk out the door.

And this is just the beginning. Neighborhood Allies is continuing to explore expanded support, including opportunities to connect returning citizens to credit-building tools, coaching, and long-term financial empowerment services through the Allegheny County Financial Empowerment Center, and Bank On certified accounts. 

We’re grateful to the team at ACJ and our partners at First Commonwealth Bank—especially Stephanie and Tiffany—for showing what true collaboration looks like. 

This is the work. This is what access and dignity look like in practice. And this is what a fresh start can mean.

To learn more about Bank On Allegheny County or support this work, please contact Javier Janik, javier@neighborhoodallies.org.