Tennessee has 4x more predatory lenders than McDonalds

As former employees of a traditional financial institution, we saw first-hand that banks simply are not designed to serve people with low credit scores, higher debt loads, and lower incomes. They often turn to predatory lenders and check cashers that charge rates up to 400%. Rural communities in particular are hit hard by these realities.

Financial Instability is a Root-Cause Issue 

Data shows that when financial stress persists, its impacts ripple across a family’s life for generations—fueling Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), restricting access to early childhood education, limiting workforce participation, and increasing the likelihood of relapse. Left unaddressed, chronic financial stress has significant long-term negative impacts on community and population health, including diseases of despair.

Northeast Tennessee Families Face Unique Economic Challenges

For many families in Central Appalachia, money is a constant source of stress, worsened by the opioid epidemic and shifting regional industries. According to the MIT Living Wage Calculator, a single parent with one child in Northeast Tennessee faces a nearly $13,000 annual gap between household income and the true cost of living—more than $1,000 short every month. Single parents make up one of the largest groups AOF serves.

Most AOF clients are part of the ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) population—working families who struggle to make ends meet. These families live with chronic financial stress and are just one emergency away from crisis.