Building wealth together
What’s ahead
Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month
Navigating a changing interest rate environment
Announcing: RISE Investment Program with the United Way of Southeast Louisiana
Are you registered to vote?
Back on campus: Stackwell shapes financial futures
Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month
As we celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month, we honor the rich cultures, histories, and contributions of the Hispanic community. This month reminds us of the resilience and creativity that have shaped our society in countless ways. Together, we will continue working towards a more inclusive and equitable economy that reflects the vibrant tapestry of our diverse communities.
But first, let’s look at the facts: According to the latest data from the Federal Reserve’s Survey of Consumer Finances, while Black and Hispanic wealth is growing, the wealth gap is widening even faster. Between 2019 and 2022, the gap between the median wealth of white and Hispanic families grew by $47,160, and the gap between white and Black households grew by $49,950. Although the median wealth of both Hispanic and Black households rose during this period, the Federal Reserve found that white families’ median wealth grew to surpass that of Black and Hispanic families by over $220,000.
This means that, although wealth grew for Black and Hispanic families during the pandemic, that growth was not distributed equally.
At Stackwell, we recognize that addressing the wealth gap is critical to building more equitable communities for all. We see ownership of financial assets as a key avenue to closing these gaps, and we’re committed to making investing more accessible for all people regardless of background. This month, we are shouting out all of our Hispanic brothers and sisters in the Stackwell community — we see you, we are proud of you, and we are honored to be on your wealth-building journey with you. By increasing participation in the financial markets, we have the opportunity to build thriving, more inclusive communities for the benefit of all.
Navigating a changing interest rate environment
In September, the Federal Reserve lowered interest rates for the first time since 2020 to help boost the economy. When the Federal Reserve cuts interest rates, it lowers the cost of borrowing money, which encourages consumers and businesses to spend and invest more. This decision typically aims to stimulate economic growth and has implications for an individual’s financial strategy.
For investors, an interest rate cut can create exciting opportunities. It often signals that the Fed is trying to support the economy, which can boost investor confidence. When interest rates are lower, many investors choose to invest more in stocks instead of other securities like bonds or money markets. And positive sentiment can drive stock prices up as investors feel more optimistic about future growth. However, lower rates can also mean that the interest rate on a high-yield savings account will go down. Right now is a great time to reassess your overall savings and investing strategy to ensure it aligns with your financial goals.
A good question to ask yourself right now is — what am I aiming for? Maybe you’re investing towards you or your family’s big dreams, like affording college and paying down a mortgage, or maybe you’re building savings as a financial buffer for surprise expenses — like unexpected medical bills or a big event like a vacation or wedding. Generational wealth doesn’t happen overnight — it’s a slow and steady game. Now might be just the right moment to put more into the market and see your money work a little harder for you.
Just announced: RISE Investment Program with the United Way of Southeast Louisiana
This month, we are thrilled to announce our new partnership with United Way of Southeast Louisiana (UWSELA). The RISE (Reaching Investment Success for Everyone) Investment Program aims to help ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) households in Louisiana by granting seed investments. As part of the pilot program, each participating household will receive $2,500 in their Stackwell investment account and access to our suite of financial wellness tools.
Our program will reach households in the UWSELA’s Moving Families Forward initiative across Jefferson, Orleans, Plaquemines, St. Bernard, St. Tammany, Tangipahoa, and Washington parishes. In 2022, over 51% of households in Louisiana fell below the ALICE threshold, unable to meet basic living costs. The RISE program will provide crucial support to help families gain financial stability and build generational wealth.
At Stackwell, we believe that in order to do groundbreaking work, you have to be on the ground. That’s why the RISE Investment Program is only the latest partnership we’ve made to support families in New Orleans. In 2022, we teamed up with the New Orleans Pelicans to start the Pelicans’ Black Wealth Program. In 2023, we joined forces with Entergy Corporation to build the Power of Prosperity initiative, which brings investment access and financial wellness education to students at Xavier University, Dillard University, and Southern University at New Orleans — and the program’s only getting bigger! We are excited to continue to engage and support the New Orleans community with the RISE Investment Program and our partners at the United Way of Southeast Louisiana.
Are you registered to vote?
This month, we also celebrated National Voter Registration Day. Just like participating in the markets, voting is an opportunity to have a seat at the table and make your voice heard on policies that matter to you. No matter who you’re voting for, it’s important to know the issues at hand and to make sure that you’re registered to vote. By checking that you’re registered, knowing your polling location, and reviewing bipartisan sources on key issues, you are proactively participating in shaping the world around us to reflect your values.
Take this opportunity to:
If you haven’t done so already, register to vote.
Make a plan for Election Day.
Back on campus: Stackwell shapes financial futures
In addition to our collaboration with Entergy — which supports students at HBCUs in New Orleans — Stackwell is excited to continue our partnership with Hampton University in Virginia, now entering its third year.
Over the past two years, we’ve provided every incoming Hampton freshman with a funded Stackwell investment account and financial wellness education, empowering students to begin their wealth-building journeys. This year, we are expanding the program to include students from every class year and other members of the Hampton University community.
Our partnerships with HBCUs help students develop long-term financial habits that will benefit them, their families, and their communities for generations to come. We're proud to work with Hampton to shape the financial futures of the Class of 2028 and beyond.