The FDIC has teamed up with personal finance expert Suze Orman in a national public-awareness campaign to help consumers learn about the benefits and limitations of deposit insurance.

In September, the agency unveiled a series of public service announcements (PSAs) for television stations featuring Orman and FDIC Chairman Sheila C. Bair. Orman also appears in FDIC announcements for radio stations and in an advertisement for newspapers, magazines and billboards.

The promotions discuss the importance of keeping funds in insured accounts and knowing how FDIC insurance works. They also encourage Americans to visit myFDICinsurance.gov, a new FDIC Web site where you can watch the TV spots and use "EDIE the Estimator," our online deposit insurance calculator (see "EDIE" Makes It Easy: FDIC Internet Site Analyzes Your Insurance Coverage).

"While awareness of the FDIC is high, understanding of deposit insurance is not," said Chairman Bair in announcing the new campaign. "We want to encourage people to learn the basics and provide reassurance that, if they are within the coverage limits, their money is 100 percent safe."

Orman noted that she donated her time to the FDIC campaign "because I want everyone to go to EDIE the Estimator and follow the simple steps to make sure their money is 100 percent FDIC protected." Orman also appeared on major television shows to promote the benefits of federal deposit insurance and EDIE.

Also, in November, the FDIC began a Spanish-language campaign that highlights the safety of insured deposits and how to get more help and information from the agency.