Mexican Consulate Issued 4,000 ID's/ Bank Takes Mexican ID's, Joining Other Chains

Excerpts from following article: "Twin City Bank in Little Rock has joined other chains in accepting identification cards issued by consulates to Mexicans living abroad...The bank also provides tax identification numbers to customers that don't have Social Security cards... The consulate has issued 4,000 matricula consular cards and passports since it opened--a nearly overwhelming response for his 10 member staff... Mexico estimates it received $23.1 billion in U.S. remittances in 2006." (Presidential Candidate Mike Huckabee lobbied for the Mexican Consulate Office in Little Rock.)

Bank Takes Mexican IDs, Joining Other Chains

Below are excerpts from this article that can be found online at this link: http://www.nwaonline.net/articles/2007/08/28/news/082907arhispbank.txt
"Since, Twin City Bank began accepting the matricula consular, an identification card issued by consulates to Mexicans living abroad. Twin City's decision puts the Pulaski County banking chain in line with its counterparts in Arkansas that accept the cards as a means to open bank accounts and transfer money to family members still living in Mexico....

"The matricula consular cards include a photograph of the individual, a government seal and holographic image. Any Mexican citizen can receive one at a consulate by showing a birth certificate and other identifying documents their residency.

"Consul Andres Chao said the consulate has issued 4,000 matricula consular cards and passports since it opened -- a nearly overwhelming response for his 10-member staff.

"The bank also applied to join the Federal Reserve's Automated Clearing House, a system allowing its branches to send money from clients to approved banks in Mexico, Hardcastle said.

That's a service that could draw more Mexican customers to the bank, as extra money often finds it way back to families still living there. Mexico estimates it received $23.1 billion in U.S. remittances in 2006. [That is $23.1 billion spent in Mexico instead of helping the economy in the US]

The bank also provides tax identification numbers to customers that don't have Social Security cards. Customers can use that number on an account as long as it doesn't earn interest.

"Hardcastle said the bank, which quietly rolled out its new programs, has not received any criticism for reaching out to Mexican immigrants, a state with one of the fastest-growing Spanish-speaking communities in the nation."

Maybe they should hear some complaints. Below are the emails for managers of 16 Twin City Banks. Here is the link where their names can be found: http://www.twincitybank.net/a_location.htm#maumelle

blindsey@twincitybank.net
bmiles@twincitybank.net
dberry@twincitybank.net
sschalchlin@twincitybank.net
pskarda@twincitybank.net
nrobertson@twincitybank.net
ltaylor@twincitybank.net
amartin@twincitybank.net
mlee@twincitybank.net
rcopeland@twincitybank.net
vburks@twincitybank.net
jwagner@twincitybank.net
mdavis@twincitybank.net
lmills@twincitybank.net
npilkington@twincitybank.net
cjohns@twincitybank.net