Partner News
Since Money Smart was launched in 2001, the FDIC has distributed more than 216,000 copies (paper and CD-ROM versions) of Money Smart to financial institutions, community groups and agencies across the country. In addition, the FDIC has provided free training to more than 9,000 instructors. More than 300,000 people have taken Money Smart classes and more than 40,000 new banking relationships have been established by Money Smart students.

The FDIC has also set up the Money Smart Alliance program for organizations that want to sign an agreement with the FDIC to promote Money Smart throughout their constituency. In many cases, these organizations have operations in a number of states or nationwide. Since the Money Smart Alliance Program was announced by Chairman Powell in June 2002, the number of Alliance Partners has grown to more than 900.

FDIC and Bank of America officials at the June 10 announcement that the bank will promote the Money Smart financial education program throughout its extensive service area. Left to right: Greg Barnard, Community Development National Support, Bank of America; Vickie Tassan, Senior Vice President, Community Development National Support, Bank of America; Michael J. Zamorski, Director of the FDIC's Division of Supervision and Consumer Protection; FDIC Board member Thomas J. Curry; and William Couper, President, Bank of America Greater Washington. (Photo by Steve Barrett)

Since the Spring 2005 issue of Money Smart News, Bank of America has joined the FDIC's Money Smart Alliance program. The bank, which has one of the nation's largest financial networks of banking offices and online banking, agreed to use Money Smart to promote financial education and asset building to low- and moderate-income families in its retail banking service area.

Also during this period, the FDIC signed a partnership agreement with the Louisiana Department of Social Services. The state will promote the Money Smart program to low- and moderate-income individuals and families through its programs that include the Solutions to Poverty (S.T.O.P.) Network, which provides training on financial management to help reduce poverty in communities.

All our partners are helping us meet our shared goal of helping low- and moderate-income Americans become "Money Smart " so they can establish healthy banking relationships, begin building assets, and secure a better future for themselves and their families.

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