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Comptroller of the Currency

Administrator of National Banks

NR 2006-51



FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Bryan Hubbard
April 25, 2006 (202) 874-5770

Comptroller of the Currency Promotes Financial Literacy at Capitol Hill Event

 

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Office of Comptroller of the Currency participated in the Financial Literacy Fair on Capitol Hill today to promote awareness of agency efforts to educate and support American consumers of financial services.

 

"The OCC is committed to ensuring fair access and equal treatment to financial services for all Americans," said Comptroller of the Currency John C. Dugan.  "One of the best ways to empower consumers is to educate them on the basic principles of financial literacy, improve their understanding of their financial rights, and increase their awareness of products and services that support their needs."

 

During the financial literacy event, OCC staff members from the agency fielded questions, provided information, and shared material about the products and services offered by the OCC that support citizens' financial literacy. One of the highlights included material about the OCC Customer Assistance Group (CAG) that handled more than 73,000 customer queries in 2005. The CAG provides assistance in English and Spanish by calling 1-800-613-6743 or by emailing CustomerAssistance@occ.treas.gov. The toll-free lines are open Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Central Time, and on Friday, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

 

Staff also highlighted content available on the OCC Web site that provides information to help consumers protect themselves against scams, learn about community reinvestment and development, and be aware of policies and programs related to the administration of America's national banking system.

 

The Capitol Hill Financial Literacy Fair was conducted as part of this year's National Financial Literacy Month.

 

Related Links:

·        Comptroller John C. Dugan

·        OCC Web Site

·        Customer Assistance Group

 

 

 

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The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency was created by Congress to charter national banks, to oversee a nationwide system of banking institutions, and to assure that national banks are safe and sound, competitive and profitable, and capable of serving in the best possible manner the banking needs of their customers.