LAS VEGAS, March 20, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Last week, the Native American Financial Services Association (NAFSA) hosted a Financial Services Expo with tribal and industry leaders, legal professionals, and lending experts at the National Reservation Economic Summit (National RES) in Las Vegas. The Expo began with opening remarks by NAFSA's Executive Director, Gary Davis. NAFSA was the presenting sponsor for National RES, which was hosted by the National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development.
"This is only the beginning for our industry and trade association," Davis said during his remarks at National RES. "Less than two weeks ago, as we made our way across the Capitol, Members of Congress were impressed with the fact that our tribes are serving people that the American banking system is not. These are the 65 million Americans who make up the unbanked and underbanked - the credit invisible - with no credit or low credit. These are good folks making a median income of $43,000 and have good jobs. But what happens when they need access to additional cash? Who is meeting that need? Right now, the answer is Indian Country."
NAFSA hosted unique and content-packed workshops at the Financial Services Expo. Moderated by Gary Davis, these workshops illustrated the potential of tribally-controlled online lending solutions, the challenges of overregulation, and the limitless opportunities the industry possesses. Accomplished presenters like Otoe-Missouria Tribal Chairman John Shotton, Lac Vieux Desert Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians Chairman Jim Williams Jr, Associate Professor at San Diego State University Katherine Spilde, Ph.D, as well as internationally-recognized champions of the lending and fintech space provided the engaging narrative of tribal online lending solutions.
Davis noted that he would take the message he gave to – and heard from - tribal leaders and lenders to lawmakers and agency staff in Washington, DC, as he has done in recent weeks.
"Washington will listen to us if we speak with a unified voice about the importance of this industry, as well as the importance of tribal sovereignty," Davis said.
Mr. Davis's remarks at National RES can be viewed by clicking here.
Formed in 2012, NAFSA is a 501(c)6 trade association located in Washington, D.C. that advocates for tribal sovereignty, promotes responsible financial services, and provides better economic opportunity in Indian Country for the benefit of tribal communities.
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SOURCE Native American Financial Services Association (NAFSA)