Financial Literacy Update
November/December 2012 The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC)'s Financial Literacy Update is a bimonthly e-newsletter that reports upcoming financial literacy events, new initiatives, and related resources of the OCC and other government agencies and organizations. Financial Literacy Update provides brief descriptions and Web links for upcoming events in chronological order. It lists new initiatives and resources (with Web links) in alphabetical order. We welcome your feedback. Have an upcoming financial literacy even, new tool, or product? Please e-mail us at CommunityAffairs@occ.treas.gov. Online versions of Financial Literacy Update are available at www.occ.gov/flu.
Updates as of November 13, 2012 Annual Conference on Financial Education
April 3 – 5, 2013 (Orlando, Fla.)
The Institute for Financial Literacy hosts the Annual Conference on Financial Education. The conference provides professional development and networking opportunities for those involved in financial literacy education. Participants learn about current trends, best practices, and ways to promote financial education. Income Tax Preparer Webinar
December 12, 2012 (Nationwide)
January 16, 2013 (Nationwide)
Community Financial Resources hosts these income tax preparation webinars for non-profit and Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) tax preparers. Assets for Independence (AFI) Grant Application Due Dates
January 25, 2013 (Nationwide)
March 25, 2013 (Nationwide)
May 24, 2013 (Nationwide
The U. S. Department of Health and Human Services Federal Office of Community Services administers the Assets for Independence (AFI) program, which provides five-year grants to nonprofit organizations and government agencies that empower low-income families to become economically self-sufficient for the long-term. Grantees provide financial education training on money management issues and assist participants with saving earned income in Individual Development Accounts (IDAs). Eligible applicants include non-profit organizations, qualified state and local governments, low-income designated credit unions, community development financial institutions, and other community-based organizations. Applications for AFI grants of up to $1 million are currently being accepted. IRS You Tube Video Channel
The Internal Revenue Service YouTube video channel provides short, informative videos on various tax related topics in English, American Sign Language (ASL) and a variety of foreign languages. Upcoming Events Conference for College Professors in St. Louis
November 1–2, 2012 (St. Louis, Mo.)
The Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis sponsors this annual conference for college professors to provide them with relevant content and tools for use in classrooms. Lights, Camera, Save! National Video Contest
November 1–30, 2012 (Nationwide)
The American Bankers Association Education Foundation sponsors this video contest to encourage children and teenagers to think creatively about saving money. Participants are invited to create videos that promote saving and inspire others to become lifelong savers. Banks host local competitions and select winners to take part in a national competition. National Educator Conference November 2–4, 2012 (Chicago, Ill.)
The Jump$tart Coalition’s fourth annual conference offers tools, resources, and support for educators of preschool- through high school-aged students who are interested in teaching personal finance. The cost is $395 and includes conference materials, meals, and two nights at the JW Marriot hotel. Financial Education in Oklahoma
November 7, 2012 (Oklahoma City)
The Oklahoma Jump$tart Coalition hosts this one-day conference to provide information to financial educators, advocates, and teachers about consumer credit. Operation HOPE Global Financial Dignity Summit
November 14–15, 2012 (Atlanta, Ga.)
Operation HOPE sponsors this Global Financial Dignity Summit with the theme “Community, Character, and Responsible Capitalism.” The summit highlights the issues of financial dignity, financial inclusion, and financial literacy as essential core ingredients to mid- and long-term economic renewal and stability in the world. Common $ense Conference in Vermont
November 15, 2012 (Montpelier)
The Vermont Jump$tart Coalition sponsors this half-day conference based on the Family Economic and Financial Education (FEFE) program. The conference includes hands-on exercises as part of the training curriculum. Chicago Fed Challenge Orientation
November 19, 2012 (Chicago, Ill.)
December 2012 (Detroit, Mich.)
The Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago hosts these orientation sessions for high school teachers interested in participating in Fed Challenge 2013. The competition gives high school students the opportunity to study the U.S. economy and the federal banking system. Teacher Workshops, Events in Southeastern U.S.
November and December
The Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta sponsors numerous teacher workshops and events in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Tennessee. InvestWrite Essay Competition
December (Nationwide)
The Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association Foundation (SIFMA) needs volunteers to score essays for its InvestWrite national student essay competition beginning December 4, 2012. Volunteer judges work entirely online and can make a difference in the lives of student competitors who learn the importance of saving and investing for their futures. The foundation provides instructions and support. Michigan Educators Conference
December 11, 2012 (Detroit)
The Michigan Jump$tart Coalition hosts this conference for teachers. Various courses and resources are offered, and Money$mart libraries will be on display. Earned Income Tax Credit Awareness Day
January 25, 2013 (Nationwide)
This seventh annual event promotes public understanding of the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC). The Web site has information on how to participate in EITC Awareness Day and about the availability of free tax preparation sites. America Saves Week 2013
February 25, 2013–March 2, 2013 (Nationwide)
The Consumer Federation of America, the American Savings Education Council (ASEC) and America Saves host the annual America Saves Week. The goal is to encourage people, particularly lower-income families, to save money and build wealth. The event offers information and advice on paying down debt, building an emergency fund, and saving for a home, education, and retirement. New Initiatives Camp Challenge
The North Carolina Bankers Association sponsors this summer camp, where high-achieving, low-resource students from the state learn age-appropriate life skills with financial literacy as a keystone. Campers and counselors apply in December for a place in the following summer’s camp. For more information contact the North Carolina Bankers Association. Independent Foreclosure Review
The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) and the Federal Reserve Bank, as part of enforcement actions issued in April 2011, required 14 large mortgage servicers to retain independent consultants to conduct comprehensive reviews of foreclosure activity in 2009 and 2010 to identify borrowers who may have been financially injured due to errors, misrepresentations, or other deficiencies in the foreclosure process. If the review finds that financial injury occurred, the borrower may receive remediation such as lump-sum payments, suspension or rescission of a foreclosure, a loan modification or other loss mitigation assistance, correction of credit reports, or correction of deficiency amounts and records. Borrowers seeking a review of their mortgage foreclosures under the federal banking agencies’ Independent Foreclosure Review now have until December 31, 2012, to submit their requests. Native Financial Education Coalition
The National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) is re-establishing the Native Financial Education Coalition (NFEC) to identify short- and long-term efforts on Native financial education and consumer protection. Please contact the NCAI for more information. 'Save Out Loud' Contest
The U.S. Department of the Treasury wants to hear what students in grades K–12 and their families are saving for. The Ready.Save.Grow. “Save Out Loud” photo and video contest invites students to share stories about saving and to compete for a chance to have Rosie Rios, Treasurer of the United States, make a virtual classroom visit. New Resources BestPrep
This nonprofit’s Financial Matters program gives Minnesota students business, career, and financial literacy skills. Classroom volunteers teach budgeting, credit, and other financial skills. BestPrep also distributes the Stock Market Game and subsidizes the entry fee for the first 3,000 teams to register. Love Your Money
Love Your Money is a Web site featuring an online course that provides college students the tools they need to manage their money, understand financial markets, and save and invest wisely. MoneySKILL
The American Financial Services Association Education Foundation offers this free, reality-based online personal finance course for young adults. OnGuardOnline.gov
The Federal Trade Commission sponsors this Web site, which offers tips for safely shopping online during the holiday season and all year. Top Tips for Selecting a Financial Professional
The Securities and Exchange Commission’s Office of Investor Education and Advocacy offers this investor bulletin for individuals selecting a financial professional—whether a stockbroker, a financial planner, or an investment adviser. |
