ACB: Press Releases

Contact:	Robert Schmermund (202) 857-3104 Jim Eberle (202) 857-3145	Jim Eberle (202) 857-3145 (work) (703) 893-2593 (home) [email protected]	For Immediate Release March 25, 2003 #03-12
E-mail: [email protected]

AMERICA’S COMMUNITY BANKERS, FDIC JOIN FORCES TO PROMOTE USE OF MONEY SMART PROGRAM

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WASHINGTON, D.C. — America’s Community Bankers and the FDIC have joined forces to promote the use of the agency’s Money Smart financial education program to the trade group’s community bank members.

The agreement was signed today at the FDIC’s headquarters by ACB President and CEO Diane Casey Landry and FDIC Chairman Donald E. Powell.

ACB will provide the Money Smart program nationwide to member banks and state association members, conduct training sessions to assist ACB members in using the program in their communities, promote the program and offer a Money Smart workshop at ACB’s annual convention, promote the program at education seminars and workshops and incorporate Money Smart into ACB’s own financial literacy initiative, including the Money Rules series of materials ACB produces.

“The FDIC is very pleased to enter into this partnership with ACB,” said Powell. “ACB has demonstrated its true commitment to the principles of community banking by adopting Money Smart as a tool to educate customers on how to make money work for them, not against them.”

“Community bankers have long recognized the importance of understanding the basic rules that govern the use of money and credit,” said Casey Landry. “Having the right financial skills is essential to achieving such American dreams as owning a home or financing one’s education. That is why ACB is pleased to be joining with the FDIC to promote the Money Smart curriculum.

“We believe this is another excellent tool that will help empower more Americans to make better financial choices,” she said.

As part of its commitment to the principles of community banking, ACB has made financial literacy a top priority and launched Money Rules, an information program to help community bankers educate their customers on the facts of financial life. Money Rules helps consumers understand the basics of budgeting, saving, investing, borrowing and spending wisely. The materials are available in English and Spanish.

The Money Smart curriculum is comprised of 10 comprehensive instructor-led modules covering basic financial topics including an introduction to bank services, tips on obtaining credit and buying a home. It can be easily reproduced for wide dissemination and has no copyright restrictions. Money Smart is free to users.

In addition to the English and Spanish CD-ROM versions now available, Money Smart is being translated into Korean, Chinese and Vietnamese. Those versions are scheduled for release later this year.

Additional information on the FDIC’s Money Smart program, including requests for materials, should be directed to Michael Briggs at [email protected] or (202) 857-3122. Requests for ACB’s Money Rules materials should be directed to [email protected] or (888) 872-0568.

Consumer information materials on identity theft, check fraud, online banking and other issues can be found on ACB’s website, www.AmericasCommunityBankers.com, under “Tools and Resources.”

America’s Community Bankers is the national trade association committed to shaping the future of banking by being the innovative industry leader strengthening the competitive position of community banks. To learn more about ACB, visit www.AmericasCommunityBankers.com.

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