There are tens of millions of Americans who are among the "great unbanked" in our country. These hard-working Americans can't take their paycheck and direct deposit it into a bank because they've been banned from having an account -- usually for 5 years -- after running afoul of the ChexSystem.
So what are their options? Well, they can go to a check casher and pay big fees to cash their payroll check -- plus more fees if they want to pay a bill or get a money order.
Wal-Mart has a different solution in mind
and it's one that Clark calls the "best deal in America -- without question."
At Wal-Mart, you can take your paycheck and deposit it onto a
stored-value card (aka pre-paid card) for a monthly fee of just $3. That's vastly cheaper than going to a check casher. And you can use it anywhere that the Visa card logo is shown -- not just at Wal-Mart.
Wal-Mart's stored-value card also removes the threat of personal hazard to the holder. Thugs are known to prey on those people who go to check cashers. They hide out nearby and jump them for their wad of cash when no one is looking.
Any way you look at it, the Wal-Mart option is a winner for those who don't have bank accounts.