• The new self-paced interactive CBI version of Money Smart contains the same ten modules as the original Money Smart, and is available in both English and Spanish.
• The Money Smart interactive CBI allows students to have a "virtual experience” and, upon successful completion of each module, students may print out a personalized certificate of completion for that module.
• The Money Smart interactive CBI is available in two formats: as a CD-ROM and on the FDIC's Web site.
• To order copies of Money Smart or the interactive CBI version of Money Smart, go to: www.fdic.gov/consumers/consumer/moneysmart/order.html.
• The interactive CBI Web version can be accessed at: http://www.fdic.gov/consumers/consumer/moneysmart/mscbi/mscbi.html.
• Additional information about Money Smart may be found on the Internet at www.fdic.gov/consumers/consumer/moneysmart/index.html or by contacting one of the Community Affairs Officers responsible for your region on the attached list.

Distribution:
FDIC-Insured Banks

Suggested Routing:
Chief Executive Officer
Compliance Officer
Branch Officer

Related Topics:
CRA

Attachment:
Listing of FDIC Regional Community Affairs Officers

Contact:
Senior Community Affairs Specialist Angelisa M. Harris at angharris@fdic.gov or FDIC Regional Community Affairs Officer (list provided in the attachment)

Printable Format:
FIL-131-2004 - PDF 53k (PDF Help)
Listing of FDIC Regional Community Affairs Officers - PDF 29k (PDF Help)

Note:
FDIC Financial Institution Letters (FILs) may be accessed from the FDIC's Web site at www.fdic.gov/news/news/financial/2004/index.html.

To receive FILs electronically, please visit http://www.fdic.gov/about/subscriptions/fil.html.

Paper copies of FDIC FILs may be obtained through the FDIC's Public Information Center, 801 17th Street, NW, Room 100, Washington, DC 20434 (1-877-275-3342 or (703) 562-2200).

The FDIC has released a new self-paced interactive computer-based-instruction (CBI) version of Money Smart in English and Spanish, which is available on CD-ROM and accessible through the FDIC's Web site at www.fdic.gov.

Money Smart is a financial education curriculum designed to help low- and moderate-income adults understand the basics of banking, with modules on topics such as bank services, credit, budgeting, savings, credit cards, loans and homeownership. The program can be taught in its entirety, or specific modules can fill in the gaps in other financial education programs. The FDIC offers this educational tool free to banks and others interested in sponsoring financial education workshops.

The new self-paced interactive CBI version of Money Smart contains the same ten modules as the original Money Smart, which was designed to be used in a classroom setting. The interactive CBI version can be used to complement formal classes, serve as a refresher course, or be used in independent study.

Prompted by an animated guide, the Money Smart interactive CBI allows students to have a "virtual experience" in such activities as entering a bank and interacting with employees, using an ATM, writing checks and balancing a check book, and reading a credit report. Students receive ongoing feedback and, upon successful completion of each module, can print out a personalized certificate for that module.

The Money Smart interactive CBI is available in two formats: as a CD-ROM and on the FDIC's Web site. The version on the Web site has been modified slightly so that it can be accessed by almost any computer without danger of "freezing" it.

To order copies of Money Smart or the Money Smart interactive CBI, go to: www.fdic.gov/consumers/consumer/moneysmart/order.html.

The Web version of the Money Smart interactive CBI can be accessed at: http://www.fdic.gov/consumers/consumer/moneysmart/mscbi/mscbi.html. The Web version requires the following:

• One of the standard versions of Windows-Windows 95/98/ME/NT/2000/XP.
• Access to the Internet at 56kb or faster.
• Internet Explorer (version 5.0 or higher) or Netscape (version 4.04 or higher).
• Standard speakers or headphones and a sound card are recommended.

The original instructor version of Money Smart on CD-ROM is still available in English, Spanish, Chinese, Korean and Vietnamese and can be ordered through the FDIC's Web site.

Additional information about Money Smart may be found on the Internet at www.fdic.gov/consumers/consumer/moneysmart/index.html or by contacting one of the Community Affairs Officers responsible for your region on the attached list.