April is recognized as National Financial Capability Month to highlight the value of financial education in improving the financial well-being of all Americans and increasing their ability to control their financial lives. See the roundup of relevant events and resources below.
FEATURED EVENT
Financial Health: Vital Signs -- The Importance of Assets for Financial Health
In April, Acting Comptroller of the Currency Michael J. Hsu hosted a discussion with Leigh Phillips, CEO of SaverLife, and Marietta Rodriguez, President and CEO of NeighborWorks America, to explore the importance of assets for financial health.
The discussion was part of the Financial Health: Vital Signs series, which features discussions with the Acting Comptroller and academic, community and industry leaders on issues affecting the financial health and wellbeing of consumers.
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Consumer Financial Protection Bureau
CFPB Financial Education Exchange (FinEx) Webinar: Spotting and Avoiding Scams.
On April 13, 2023, CFPB will host a webinar with speakers from the CFPB, FTC, SEC and CFTC on how to identify and respond to scams and fraud. CFPB FinEx is a place where financial educators, practitioners, counselors, researchers, and others can share information and best practices, learn from one another, advance their work, and see what CFPB is doing to help consumers. Get access to free webinars, conferences, financial education resources, and more.
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The Office of Financial Readiness, Department of Defense
Join the Department of Defense (Office of Financial Readiness, Office of Military Community and Family Policy, and the Military Services) in promoting Financial Capability Month (FINCAP). Throughout the month of April, DoD will promote the fundamentals of financial literacy with the aim of increasing the economic security of service members, their spouses and their families.
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Office of Federal Student Aid (FSA), Department of Education
Twitter Space Event: On April 4th, 2023, at 7 pm EST, FSA will partner with the U.S. Department of Education to hold a live conversation which will provide tips for students/parents around finalizing their school choice.
We’ll be discussing common terms to know within financial aid offers, calculating net cost, and using data from the College Scorecard to narrow down your top choices.
A Twitter account is not needed to tune in. Anyone can listen by accessing Twitter via the web with this link: https://twitter.com/i/spaces/1YqxoAkDjazGv?s=20
Blog Article: Financial Aid Dictionary: Top Terms About Grants, Work-Study, and Student Loans
- The content’s goal is defining commonly misunderstood or unknown terms and acronyms to provide clarity for students, parents, and borrowers and help them through the student aid process. This includes 36 terms and helpful examples to better communicate the impacts. For example, Interest Capitalization, Origination Fee, Deferment are terms included.
New Blog Article: Subsidized vs. Unsubsidized Student Loans
- The goal of this content is to define major differences between subsidized and unsubsidized loans so that borrowers can make informed decisions. This also includes a new infographic which shows the impact of interest depending on the loan type which uses real-life numbers.
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The Administration for Children & Families, Department of Health and Human Services
Conversations about money and finances are often seen as inappropriate, and many families hold high levels of mistrust in financial institutions due to systemic barriers and community exploitation.
This session offers Head Start program staff strategies for engaging families in conversations about money in ways that are rooted in dignity and respect.
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National Credit Union Administration
In recognition of National Financial Capability Month, NCUA wants to help all ages become more financially capable. NCUA has prepared a video and statement in recognition of National Financial Capability Month. The NCUA’s Financial Literacy & Education Resource Center includes resources and tools from other federal agencies and stakeholders that can assist credit unions in developing or improving their own personal finance and financial literacy education programs. MyCreditUnion.gov, NCUA’s consumer website, has links to information on a variety of financial education resources, including such topics as saving and investing, homeownership, dealing with debt, preventing fraud, and planning for the unexpected.
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The Office of Comptroller of the Currency
Financial Health: Vital Signs -- The Importance of Assets for Financial Health
In April, Acting Comptroller of the Currency Michael J. Hsu hosted a discussion with Leigh Phillips, CEO of SaverLife, and Marietta Rodriguez, President and CEO of NeighborWorks America, to explore the importance of assets for financial health.
The discussion was part of the Financial Health: Vital Signs series, which features discussions with the Acting Comptroller and academic, community and industry leaders on issues affecting the financial health and wellbeing of consumers.
The OCC’s Community Affairs Division supports the OCC's mission to ensure a vibrant banking system by helping national banks and federal savings associations to be leaders in providing safe and sound community development financing and making financial services accessible to underserved communities and consumers, while treating their customers fairly. Community Affairs produces community development publications and web resources and resources on a variety of topics, including financial capability and financial literacy.
- April 12, 2023 Webinar: Pennsylvania Financial Education Today: What We’ve Learned and Where We’re Going. The OCC and the FDIC will be co-hosting a webinar featuring presenters from Philadelphia and Pittsburgh’s Financial Empowerment Centers and Allentown’s Bank On program. The presenters will discuss their organizations’ financial education and outreach efforts and how they contribute to long-term wealth building for clients. The presenters will also discuss partnerships with banks. In addition, presenters from the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau will discuss best practices and trends for various financial education resources and outreach.
- Acting Comptroller Hsu’s Financial Health Vital Signs – During April, OCC will be releasing a new episode of Acting Comptroller Hsu’s Financial Health Vital Signs podcast. The previous podcast is also available through the link.
- The OCC’s HelpWithMyBank.gov provides information and assistance for customers of national banks and federal savings associations. It includes over 250 frequently asked questions and answers on a variety of financial topics and enables customers to file complaints, online, to the OCC.
- The OCC’s Financial Literacy Updates is a quarterly e-newsletter that reports on upcoming events, new initiatives, and related resources of the OCC and other government agencies and organizations. The April-June 2023 issue will be released in April.
- The OCC’s Financial Literacy Resource Directory includes descriptions and contact information for a sampling of government programs and organizations that undertake financial literacy and education initiatives as a primary mission, including fact sheets, newsletters, conference materials, publications, and links to websites.
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Securities and Exchange Commission
The SEC’s Office of Investor Education created a mock video showing investors what real scams can look like. Learn how to spot the red flags of fraud and avoid getting scammed. HoweyTrade Investment Program Avoid Fraud Videos
The SEC's Office of Investor Education created a mock video and new companion high school classroom activity for teachers showing investors what real scams can look like. Learn how to spot the red flags of fraud and avoid getting scammed. HoweyTrade Investment Program Avoid Fraud Videos
The SEC’s Office of Investor Education and Advocacy continues to urge investors to be cautious if considering an investment involving crypto asset securities. Exercise Caution with Crypto Asset Securities: Investor Alert
Learn about investment scams and how to protect yourself with our latest Investor Alerts. Investor Alerts
Test your investing knowledge with our April Investor Education Quiz! Investor Education Quiz
Using the search tool on Investor.gov to check the background of an investment professional is a great first step toward protecting your money. Before you invest, Investor.gov. Check out the Background of Your Investment Professional
The SEC’s Office of Investor Education and Advocacy has free downloadable investor education resources for teachers, students, military personnel, and more.
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Social Security Administration
On April 5, 2023, the Social Security Administration (SSA) released a Dear Colleague Letter to advocates in commemoration of National Financial Capability Month. SSA encouraged readers to open a personal my Social Security account and review their Social Security Statement to help plan for a secure financial future.
