Partnership offers International Association of Women (IAW) members thousands in savings through specialized student loan refinancing options
New York, NY – January 24, 2018 – Laurel Road, the national online lending division of Darien Rowayton Bank, and the International Association of Women, owned by Professional Diversity Network, Inc. (NASDAQ:IPDN), today announced their partnership to offer IAW members exclusive student loan refinancing options through Laurel Road. The nearly one million IAW members will now have access to savings when they refinance their student loans with Laurel Road, with additional savings from exclusive IAW member discounts. Laurel Road customers save on average $20,000 by refinancing their student loans.
About two-thirds of the country’s outstanding debt is held by women, according to estimates published by the American Association of University Women.[1] Women face a particular set of financial challenges, such as balancing their personal, professional and family lives, as well as the wage gap, which impacts their ability to pay off student loan debt. This partnership puts IAW members in a better position to pay off student loan debt while achieving their personal and professional goals through added savings, lower rates, education about student loan refinancing and a premium online experience.
“At Laurel Road, we know that financial milestones pave the way to personal and professional accomplishments,” said Alyssa Schaefer, CMO and Head of Product Experience for Laurel Road. “Specifically, for women in the professional setting, achieving financial balance and cutting costs where possible can be daunting. This partnership underscores Laurel Road’s commitment to empowering women as they pursue their individual goals and is part of our company mission to be their trusted financial partner throughout their professional and personal journey.”
“A major focus of IAW is to provide our members with first class services to help them thrive in an interconnected world,” said Star Jones, IPDN President and IAW Spokesperson. “When opportunity meets preparation, nothing is out of reach. This relationship not only provides women with a trusted financial partner, but educates our members about their financial planning options, helping them to dream, rise and lead.”
Through the partnership, effective as of January 2018, Laurel Road will offer additional personal financial resources to IAW members, including webinars and educational content about student loans, repayment and refinancing options and financial wellness.
About Laurel Road
Laurel Road is the national online lending division of Darien Rowayton Bank. FDIC-insured and established in 2006, Darien Rowayton Bank has helped thousands of professionals with graduate and undergraduate degrees across the country to refinance and consolidate over $3 billion in federal and private school loans, saving these borrowers thousands of dollars each. Darien Rowayton Bank is a Connecticut-chartered bank, Member FDIC, and an Equal Housing/Opportunity Lender.
About IAW
The International Association of Women (IAW) is a global in-person and online professional networking platform that provides nearly one million women the forum, professional development and services needed to thrive in an interconnected world. Through 100+ local chapters, International Chapters in several cities in China and 1000+ in person and virtual events, members cultivate valuable connections, develop professionally, and promote themselves and their businesses. Founded in Chicago in 2017, IAW is a division of Professional Diversity Network, Inc (NASDAQ: IPDN), an online network tailored to provide diverse professionals in the United States with access to employment opportunities.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains certain forward-looking statements based on our current expectations, forecasts and assumptions that involve risks and uncertainties. This release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of offers to buy any securities of any entity. Forward-looking statements in this release are based on information available to us as of the date hereof. Our actual results may differ materially from those stated or implied in such forward-looking statements, due to risks and uncertainties associated with our business, which include the risk factors disclosed in our most recently filed Annual Report on Form 10-K and in our subsequent filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Forward-looking statements include statements regarding our expectations, beliefs, intentions or strategies regarding the future and can be identified by forward-looking words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “may,” “plan,” “should” and “would,” or similar words. We assume no obligation to update the information included in this press release, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Our most recently filed Annual Report on Form 10-K, together with this press release and the financial information contained herein, are available on our website, www.prodivnet.com. Please click on “Investor Relations.”
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Media Contacts:
Laurel Road
Kwittken PR for Laurel Road
212-352-4651
[email protected]
Professional Diversity Network, Inc.
Jason Assad – Investor Relations
[email protected]
678-570-6791
Jim Kirsch – Co-Executive Chairman
[email protected]
312-614-9021
[1] American Association of University Women, May 2017