New York (CNN)For the 44 million Spanish-speaking individuals in the United States, opening a bank account is an array of obstacles. ..
"I was born and raised in Los Angeles and have many Mexican friends who emigrated to the United States," Mackendrick said. "They had a lot of negative experiences with the banking system here. There are enough Spanish speakers in the United States because of fear, language barriers, cultural differences, etc. They themselves We started Seis because it deserves a bank in. "
Seis employs and customers in the United States, Mexico, Honduras, Chile, Colombia, Venezuela, and other Central and South American countries. I am interacting with. Every time a customer contacts a bank, the interaction with a native Spanish speaker is always 100% Spanish.
"We can build something that is really unique to them, but the big banks are run with a kind of all-purpose mindset and ultimately have less customers. We don't give priority, "says Mackendrick. ..
Spanish-speaking immigrants have long encountered obstacles to traditionally established banks, he added.
Seis allows immigrants to set up a checking account with a passport only. No social security number is required. Customers can download the app and apply for an account online. There are no minimum balances, requirements or fees.
"No money is required to open an account. No minimum balance is charged. No need to swipe a certain number of times a month. No fees. No fees. You can withdraw cash without fees. More than 55,000 ATM networks can be made, "Mackendrick said.
Many Latino Americans use both mother and father names, but traditional US banks often allow only one name in their account or application. According to Mackendrick, many Latin Americans are often denied transactions because the full name used at the time of purchase does not match the name on the debit card.
"You are in this country, you don't speak that language yet," Mackendrick said. "Also, you have been denied this transaction. You are completely confused and don't even know where to start troubleshooting."
Sergio, Head of the Banking Community Manrique said he grew up as a family interpreter when he first emigrated from Mexico City to the United States at the age of nine, and many families understood difficulties like him. face.
"It's great to be able to understand and use a product that has just arrived and be part of American society," Manrique said.
Seis also aims to empower Spanish-speaking customers with services such as checking accounts, financial products such as Visa debit cards and credit card creation.
"Our customers are looking at themselves ... they are in their American dream," Mackendrick said. "So we think we are helping them along the way."
