CHICAGO & NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

The , an initiative from the and founding partner JPMorgan Chase & Co., announced today the launch of its , focused on advancing the financial health of workers and students who are developing in-demand skills to prepare them for the future of work.

The challenge will focus on cultivating, supporting and scaling fintech solutions that support the financial health of workers and students, with a focus on people who face persistent financial health challenges, including low- to moderate-income (LMI) consumers, communities of color, aging individuals, people with disabilities, women, and other underserved consumers. Applications now accepted through Jan. 6, 2020.

Worker and student financial health was selected as the focus of the accelerator to help address the unique challenges that impact these groups as they navigate trends such as rapid technology changes, the growth of the gig economy, and increased responsibility for their own financial lives.

from the JPMorgan Chase Institute found that the average middle income family needs about $5,000 to cover concurrent income and spending shocks, but has only $2,000, leaving a gap of $3,000. In addition, the Financial Health Network’s found that unpredictable income makes individuals 2.5 times less likely to be financially healthy.

“Many American workers cannot access high-quality jobs without additional education, and when pursuing higher education, these workers must simultaneously navigate significant financial health challenges,” said Garry Reeder, VP of Innovation and Policy at the Financial Health Network. “The Financial Solutions Lab is committed to identifying and supporting solutions that empower these workers to improve their financial health even in a world experiencing profound changes to the very definitions of jobs and work.”

Applications will be accepted from start-ups and nonprofits providing innovative fintech solutions that help current and future workers navigate the challenges identified above. The next cohort will be selected in late March 2020. Additional information on the accelerator application process, timeline and more is available here:

“Low wages, variable schedules and earnings, and/or gaps in employment benefits contribute to significant economic instability for many working people today,” said Maureen Conway, Vice President for Policy Programs and Executive Director of the at the Aspen Institute. “Strategies that help students and workers improve their financial health can help them build the stability they need to maintain employment, take advantage of training and education opportunities, and access better quality work.”

Each selected organization will receive up to $125,000 in capital in addition to professional services assistance from industry leaders and mentorship from the Financial Health Network and JPMorgan Chase employees.

“Sound financial health is critical to building resilient and prosperous households and communities,” said Colleen Briggs, Head of Community Innovation at JPMorgan Chase. “As we are preparing workers with the skills they need to adapt and succeed in an ever changing world of work, we also need to invest in the tools they need to better manage their financial lives. When workers are financially healthy, it helps them improve productivity and creativity at work, while enabling them to take care of themselves and their families.”

Over the last six years, the Financial Solutions Lab has supported nearly 40 organizations that have served more than 4.5 million consumers, helping them save more than $1 billion. The Financial Solutions Lab is a proven platform for improving the financial health of consumers and recently received from founding partner JPMorgan Chase. This year’s challenge builds on insights gained from last year’s addressed financial health in the workplace by providing innovative workplace financial health and wellness programs.

While last year’s challenge focus was on workplace financial health solutions delivered through the employer channel, this year’s challenge will look more broadly at solutions that support the workforce and may be delivered to students and workers either directly or through intermediaries such as employers, educational institutions, or training programs.

About the Financial Health Network

The Financial Health Network is the leading authority on financial health. We are a trusted resource for business leaders, policymakers and innovators united in a mission to improve the financial health of their customers, employees and communities. Through research, advisory services, measurement tools, and opportunities for cross-sector collaboration, we advance awareness, understanding and proven best practices in support of improved financial health for all. For more on the Financial Health Network, go to and follow us on Twitter at @FinHealthNet.

About the Financial Solutions Lab

The Financial Solutions Lab is a $50 million, 10-year initiative managed by the Financial Health Network with founding partner JPMorgan Chase & Co. to cultivate, support and scale innovative ideas that advance the financial health of low- to moderate-income (LMI) consumers and historically underserved communities. The Lab is intentionally focused on innovative ideas that support populations facing acute and persistent financial health challenges, including (but not limited to) aging individuals, individuals with disabilities, people of color and women. The Financial Solutions Lab launches a series of accelerator competitions to identify solutions to specific consumer financial challenges. It provides incentives for entrepreneurs, businesses, and nonprofits to enhance financial products and services that address these challenges and improve consumers’ financial health. It also fosters collaboration between complementary fintech companies and nonprofits to further their reach and impact, and identifies technology needs in the market that have the potential to help LMI or underserved individuals. For more information, visit .

About JPMorgan Chase

JPMorgan Chase & Co. (NYSE: JPM) is a leading global financial services firm with assets of $2.8 trillion and operations worldwide. The Firm is a leader in investment banking, financial services for consumers and small businesses, commercial banking, financial transaction processing, and asset management. A component of the Dow Jones Industrial Average, JPMorgan Chase & Co. serves millions of customers in the United States and many of the world’s most prominent corporate, institutional and government clients under its J.P. Morgan and Chase brands. Information about JPMorgan Chase & Co. is available at .

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