Get your money right is a phrase that’s popular in the culture, but in practice, how do we do that? For one young mom, seeking out professional financial help proved to be the answer she was looking for.
Faith Hester knew she wanted financial stability for her family, but didn’t know how to start. When she sought financial guidance from Wells Fargo and Operation HOPE, everything changed.
When Faith started working with HOPE Inside financial coach Melody Maisonet at her local Wells Fargo branch, Faith was overwhelmed. “I knew I was in debt and needed to start saving for my future, but that’s where my clarity ended. I didn’t know exactly how much I owed, how to prioritize repayments, or even where to begin. Everything felt like an endless, chaotic mess.”
What Faith did know was that she wanted financial stability for her family – and with the right tools and support from Melody and Wells Fargo, she knew she could make it happen.
Laying the groundwork. Melody broke things down step by step for Faith. For instance, a big part of financial management for everyone is keeping an eye on how much of your available credit you’re using. This matters because it’s a key factor in how credit agencies determine your credit score. “She taught me about credit utilization,” says Faith. “She showed me which cards to pay off first and why. It was like someone finally turned on a light in a very dark room.”
Before she knew it, Faith had paid off $1,000 in debt and her credit score had climbed into the 700s. For someone who’d seen no hope just months before, that development felt like victory. Moments like that are a big part of the reason Melody is so committed to HOPE Inside.
“There are many things that motivate me to help my clients reach their financial goals. That moment when I see their face light up, their shoulders drop, and I hear a sigh of relief is more than enough motivation for me to do what I do,” says the financial coach. “But it’s deeper. When I meet with my clients, they’re not just random strangers. I see people in my community who look like me. They are parents doing their best and individuals who are striving for better futures.”
And despite thinking she had missed her window to apply for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program, which is available for those who work full time for government agencies, non-profits, and other eligible employers, Melody encouraged Faith to submit an application. The next thing she knew, she had $35,000 in student debt forgiven. “That moment felt like I had been handed a fresh start,” says Faith. “A second chance to build a brighter future.”
Building the foundation. And still there was more. Melody guided her client to a high-yield savings account with nearly 4% interest. For the first time, Faith was doing more than just paying off the past; she was building a better tomorrow. And that mattered because Faith is a mom determined to invest in her family’s future. “As a mother, it’s helped me become a better role model for my daughter. I’ve started having real conversations with her about finances. These conversations were something I never had growing up, and now I have the tools to guide her toward a stronger financial foundation.”
Encouraging moms like Faith to take strides in shaping their own financial futures is part of why Wells Fargo launched their Banking Inclusion Initiative, which aims to help unbanked and underbanked households gain access to low-cost banking solutions and free financial education. Wells Fargo’s partnership with Operation HOPE is one of the many ways the bank strives to make financial education and resources available to those who need them the most.
Continuing with confidence. In the end, Melody gave Faith so much more than money advice. The young mother had both the financial knowledge and a newfound confidence to change her family’s future. “This journey has been more than financial—it’s been transformational. The HOPE Inside center at Wells Fargo has given me the ability to rewrite my story, and for that, I will always be grateful.”