'Unbanked' Population Poses Big Problem in Indian Country.

By Mark Fogarty, Indian Country Today, Oneida, N.Y. Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News

Dec. 10--WASHINGTON-Indian country is crying out for banking services for the thousands of employed American Indians and Alaska Natives that live in tribal areas, and to deter payday lender rip-offs of those who can't even cash government checks without a fee.

According to the National Community Reinvestment Corp. and the National American Indian Housing Council, which spotlighted the problems of the unbanked here recently, Indian country is an especially fertile ground for the problems associated with lack of access to financial services.

Chester Carl, former chairman of NAIHC and chief …