Alaska Natives represent 17 percent of the state population. Forty-eight percent of these people live in rural areas. Even though the settlement structure is somewhat different, Alaska Natives shares some things in common with the lower-48 Native Americans. Affordable housing is a critical need in many Alaska Native villages. Multiple generations share single dwellings.
Sanitation is also critical.
The poverty rate in rural Alaska is very high and banking is an important issue in rural Alaska. The bank has a 53-branch system in the state and each branch has a community advisory board used to make sure the bank has the most up to date information on that community. Started as a pilot program in four rural villages, the community agents work with the local people and the branch to open accounts, provide information concerning the bank, provide education on banking to local residents and serve as eyes and ears of the bank to find out what was needed in the community. In selecting CAP agents, the bank looked for respected people in the community who were outgoing. CAP agents are hired as independent consultants, many with other jobs, and are trained initially at the local branch and annually in Anchorage.