Financial Empowerment Resources

Employment Support

If you are unemployed, meet with a Rochester Financial Empowerment Center counselor to create an emergency budget for the coming months. Call (585)-252-7110 to set up an appointment.
Catholic Family Center Employment Skills Services: https://www.cfcrochester.org/our-services/serving-rochester/employment-skills/
City of Rochester Employment Assistance: https://www.cityofrochester.gov/jobsearch/
Foodlink Career Empowerment Initiative: https://foodlinkny.org/fight_hunger/programs-initiatives/#tab-7
Rochester Works: https://www.rochesterworks.org/
Rochester Educational Opportunities Center: https://reoc.brockport.edu/
RCSD Office of Adult & Career Education Services (OACES): https://oaces.net/

Buying a Home

RHA Home Ownership Program: https://www.rochesterhousing.org/home-ownership-program
City of Rochester Home Purchase Assistance Program: https://www.cityofrochester.gov/homebuyer/
City of Rochester Employer Assisted Housing Initiative: https://www.cityofrochester.gov/employerassisted.aspx
Neighbor Works Introduction to Homebuying: https://nwcprochester.org/home-buying-rochester-ny/introduction-to-home-buying/
State of New York Mortgage Agency (SONYMA): https://hcr.ny.gov/sonyma-programs
Federal Home Loan Bank- Homebuyer Dream Program: https://www.fhlbny.com/community/housing-programs/hdp/
FHA Lenders in Rochester:

Small Business Start-up Services

U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has developed Lender Match, a free online referral tool that connects small businesses with participating SBA-approved lenders within 48 hours.
- https://www.sba.gov/funding-programs/loans/lender-match
The City of Rochester Business Assistance Programs provides Small Business Matching Grants to assist with Advertising, Signage, FF&E and Security Equipment.
- https://www.cityofrochester.gov/businessResources/
The City of Rochester Business Assistance Programs provides Business Development Financial Assistance Program Loans and Grants to assist with financing equipment, working capital and/or renovations.
- https://www.cityofrochester.gov/businessResources/
Kiva Rochester provides crowdfunded business loans of $1,000-$15,000 at 0% interest, no fees, and a six-month grace period.
- https://www.cityofrochester.gov/Kiva/
Rochester Economic Development Corporation (REDCO) Business Assistance Programs offer revolving loan funds to assist with equipment, working capital and/or renovations.
- https://www.cityofrochester.gov/businessResources/
The Philip J. Banks Program, offered through REDCO, provides grants and loans towards equipment, working capital and/or renovations.
- https://www.cityofrochester.gov/businessResources/
The Greater Rochester SCORE program is continuing to offer small business mentoring and educational opportunities to businesses of the greater Rochester area.
- https://greaterrochester.score.org/
The SUNY Brockport Small Business Development Center provides free 1:1 small business support, including advising, planning, MWBE certification, and training.
WeFunder provides crowdfunded business loans to small businesses and start-ups and charges 7.5% of the funds raised (businesses will only be charged if they raise funds).

Financial Institutions

Personal Loans

Advantage FCU: APR 10%-12.5%
Citizens Bank: no fees, no collateral needed, APR 6.8%-21%
ESL Federal Credit Union: varying low late fees, APR 8%-10%
Evans Bank: loan secured by primary residence, APR 11.5%-12%
Five-Star Bank: information not available on the website
Genesee Co-op Federal Credit Union: unsecured and secured loans available, APR varies
Genesee Regional Bank: unsecured and secured loans available, APR 4%-1-.25%
KeyBank: unsecured and secured loans available, APR 7.74%- 17.24%
Lexington Ave Federal Credit Union: unsecured and secured loans available, APR 8%-10%
M&T Bank: unsecured and cash-secured loans available, APR 3%-13%
Summit Federal Credit Union: APR 7%-7.25%