The community finance powerhouse takes a pause to answer some questions with Mighty.
Name: Mary Houghton
Age: 84
Neighborhood: Hyde Park neighborhood in Chicago
Occupation: Retired banker, Director at Craft3, Northern Initiatives, Grassroots Business Fund, ReInstitute
Where do you bank?
Providence Bank.
Why did you choose it?
It acquired the bank I used to work for.
What’s the top thing you need in a bank?
Security for my money.
Describe what you do in your job, in one sentence.
I was part of the executive management of ShoreBank, which lent aggressively in low-income neighborhoods in Chicago.
Are you a finance person?
No.
What’s a finance person, anyway?
Someone whose primary job focus is preparing or analyzing the finances of organizations.
What was the name of the first bank you ever had an account with?
North Shore State Bank, Milwaukee, WI.
Do you remember anything from going to the bank as a kid?
I thought it was very very cool and had my own passbook.
Tell us about a neighborhood that’s special to you, and why it’s special.
I worked in the South Shore neighborhood in Chicago. It was negatively impacted when resources were withdrawn after racial change. It is a beautiful neighborhood, on Lake Michigan with impressive single family and multi family sections.
What’s the last thing you used cash for?
Paying the woman who cleans my home.
Cash, card, or mobile?
Mainly card.
What finance-related article, book, or movie has made an impression on you?
