Regions to expand Operation Hope program to 100 branches

Regions Financial in Birmingham, Ala., has agreed to add 88 Operation Hope financial counseling centers inside branches in the Southeast, Midwest and Texas.

The $124 billion-asset Regions already had Operation Hope centers in 12 branches. Regions will add the new centers over the next four years.

Operation Hope centers provide free advice to underbanked consumers and small businesses on managing personal finances, including how to improve credit scores.

“Imagine the difference our programs are making in people's lives as they improve their credit scores by 100 points or more,” John Hope Bryant, founder and CEO of Operation Hope, said in a news release Friday. “Think about the impact on families and communities as more people succeed financially.”

Operation Hope has similar partnerships with SunTrust Banks in Atlanta, Synovus Financial in Columbus, Ga.,; Mutual of Omaha Bank and several other financial institutions.