PA Governor Wolf Declares April 'Financial Education Month'

HARRISBURG, Pa., March 28, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Secretary of Banking and Securities Robin L. Wiessmann today announced that Governor Wolf has proclaimed April as "Financial Education Month" in Pennsylvania. Secretary Wiessmann was joined for this announcement by Secretary of Aging Teresa Osborne and representatives of the PA Housing Finance Agency, PA Insurance Department, the Jump$tart Coalition for Personal Financial Literacy, PA Treasury, AARP Pennsylvania, PA Bankers Association, and PA Credit Union Association.

"In announcing the Consumer Financial Protection Initiative last November, Governor Wolf sought to raise awareness of the importance of financial literacy in helping Pennsylvanians of all ages plan for financial independence and self-sufficiency throughout their lives," Wiessmann said. "During the month of April and throughout the year, Governor Wolf and I encourage all citizens, parents, teachers, community leaders, and others to seek ways to improve their own personal finance capabilities."

In his proclamation, Wolf praised several Pennsylvania initiatives aimed at promoting financial education and literacy:

• Many banks will participate in "Teach Your Children to Save Day" on April 29, and many credit unions will participate in "National Credit Union Youth Month" from April 1-30;
• The PA Department of Banking and Securities assists thousands of Pennsylvanians each year through its leadership of the Consumer Financial Protection Initiative through its Investor Education and Consumer Outreach efforts; its partnerships with the Investor Protection Trust, AARP Pennsylvania, and the PA Department of Aging to protect seniors from financial exploitation; and its collaboration with the PA Department of Military and Veterans Affairs to help members of the military community address their distinctive financial challenges;
• The PA Housing Finance Agency provides the "Building your Financial House" program and other services for Pennsylvania renters, homebuyers, and homeowners;
• The PA Department of Education created a High School Personal Finance course on iTunes U that was named Best of 2015 by Apple;
• The PA Higher Education Assistance Agency provides high school students and their families resources on student debt awareness and college planning through its MySmartBorrowing.org website;
• The PA Jump$tart Coalition for Personal Financial Literacy, is dedicated to improving financial education in preschool through college; and
• The PA Treasury Department strives to teach all citizens about 529 College Savings Program and is working to enact the Achieving a Better Life Experience (PA ABLE) for individuals and families with disabilities.

The Governor's Proclamation can be found online: http://bit.ly/1LUBLyx (PDF)

Media contact: Ed Novak, 717-783-4721

SOURCE Pennsylvania Department of Banking

Related Links

http://www.state.pa.us