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This article provides an overview of bank-based financial education. The role of banks more generally is reviewed, and examples of Marshall and Isley (M&I) Bank's Consumer Education (CE) program are discussed. Evaluation methods used by M&I are described. Key factors for success include clearly defined priorities, a standardized high-quality curriculum, appropriately designed delivery, well-integrated assessment and evaluation, effective community partnerships and a willingness to provide supporting tools.

About 10 million American households do not use any aspect of the banking system. A large body of research provides evidence that limited involvement in the mainstream financial sector is most common among low- and moderate-income (LMI) households. Although their income may be relatively low, these individuals hold assets and regularly conduct financial transactions, frequently with nonbank financial companies.

This article reviews research on the effectiveness of general financial literacy training to draw implications for literacy training related to predatory lending. The article concludes that training offered by high schools and workplaces is associated with improved financial knowledge and behavior, especially for low-income or less-educated recipients. Although evidence on homeowner education and counseling is less clear cut, the article concludes that financial literacy training has the potential to curb predatory lending.

In a small a financial education pilot at Oh Day Aki Charter School in Minneapolis involving one teacher and about 100 middle and high school students, results suggest that that standard financial education materials can be adapted to benefit Native students in an urban setting, despite pre-existing educational challenges that are typical of inner-city schools, such as high turnover and low reading skills. The pilot's sponsoring partners hope to build on the lessons learned in order to further promote financial education for Native youth.

This special edition of Consumer News is a Buyer's Guide to Finding the Right Loan, Credit Card or Deposit Account.

Social Security should be notified as soon as possible when a person dies. This site provides information about how you can report a death in the family and about possible benefits for family members, including surviving spouse, unmarried children, and parents.

When you have a baby, one of the things that should be on your “to do” list is getting a Social Security number for your baby. The easiest time to do this is when you give information for your child’s birth certificate. If you wait to apply for a number at a Social Security office, there may be delays while we verify your child’s birth certificate. This website provides instructions on how to get a Social Security number for your child and information on how to apply for disability and other benefits for your child.

The Social Security Administration might be able to help you if you or someone you know is a surivor of domestic violence by providing a new Social Security number. Information is provided on when and how to apply for a new number.

In this type of Internet piracy, thieves use phony e-mails and web sites to extract personal financial information, including account numbers and passwords, from unwary consumers. Read this article for more informaiton and for tips to protect your information.