InCharge Education Foundation Works With Ally Financial to Teach Wallet Wise Financial Literacy Program in the Community

Free financial basics training now available both in-person and online

ORLANDO, Fla., Sept. 14, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- InCharge Education Foundation (InCharge) is pleased to team with Ally Financial on Wallet Wise, a free financial education program that teaches consumers the basics of personal finance.  

Ally Wallet Wise offers community-based, in-person sessions, as well as online courses through www.allywalletwise.com. Both options are available at no cost to consumers. Topics covered include Credit, Budget and Banking & Investing. Ally plans to add courses on automotive finance and home finance in the future. The website and in-person classes offer:

• Exercises to educate consumers on personal finance concepts.
• Real-life scenarios to help consumers navigate challenges in personal finance.
• Resources for consumers to obtain additional support.

"We are proud to work with Ally Financial, one of the nation's largest automotive finance companies, on the Wallet Wise financial literacy program," said Bill Malseed, InCharge Education Foundation president.  "Since so many people have no training in how to manage their money or handle credit responsibly, we strongly believe this program meets a very urgent and widespread need around the country."

Ally Financial has teamed with community organizations, like InCharge Education Foundation, across the country to teach the in-person Wallet Wise sessions. InCharge is equipped with workbook and presentation materials that have been structured to teach participants in an atmosphere that is fun, interactive and conducive to learning. Consumers can learn about upcoming sessions in their community by visiting www.allywalletwise.com.

"Understanding the basics of budgeting and credit is a top priority now more than ever for many consumers," said Gina Proia, chief communications officer of Ally Financial, who oversees the Community Relations efforts at the company. "Ally Wallet Wise can help provide consumers with additional information that can be applied to many personal finance challenges, as well as long-term goals."

For more information, contact InCharge:

• For credit counseling, call 877-486-4924.  
• For housing counseling services, call 877-251-1882.
• For bankruptcy services, call 866-729-0049.
• For servicemembers, call 877-258-9549.
• or visit us online at www.InCharge.org

About InCharge^® Education Foundation

InCharge® Education Foundation, Inc. (ICEF) is a national 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to providing educational products, services and research supporting the personal financial literacy of consumers across America.  ICEF develops and provides a variety of innovative personal finance tools, web-based educational programs &financial calculators, to meet the financial needs of consumers.  ICEF is affiliated with InCharge® Debt Solutions, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization specializing in personal finance education, housing counseling and credit counseling.  InCharge Debt Solutions interacted with over 1.2 million consumers in 2010 alone, and is a member of the National Foundation for Credit Counseling (NFCC), the Association of Independent Consumer Credit Counseling Agencies (AICCCA), and is accredited by the Council on Accreditation (COA). 

About Ally Financial Inc.

Ally Financial Inc. (formerly GMAC Inc.) is one of the world's largest automotive financial services companies.  The company offers a full suite of automotive financing products and services in key markets around the world.  Ally's other business units include mortgage operations and commercial finance, and the company's subsidiary, Ally Bank, offers retail banking products.  With approximately $179 billion in assets as of June 30, 2011, Ally operates as a bank holding company. For more information, visit the Ally media site at http://media.ally.com or follow Ally on Twitter: @ally. Ally Wallet Wise is a registered trademark of Ally Financial.

Contact:
InCharge^® Education Foundation
(407) 532-5599
[email protected]

Beth Coggins, Ally Financial
(313) 804-0425
[email protected]

SOURCE InCharge Education Foundation