News Release
Monday, October 05, 2009
Contact
Lyn Peters, Director of Communications
PH (360) 902-8731 lpeters@dfi.wa.gov
Scott Jarvis, Director of DFI
PH (360) 902-8707 sjarvis@dfi.wa.gov
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
DFI Launches Statewide “Investor Education In Your Community” With Grant From Investor Protection Trust
Financial education project will share unbiased, reliable information throughout WA
OLYMPIA – The Washington State Department of Financial Institutions (DFI) launches the Washington State Investor Education In Your Community ® project this week with financial education outreach events in Wenatchee.
The Investor Education In Your Community ® project is an outreach project aimed at providing financial education through multiple workshops and presentations in communities throughout Washington State. Thanks to a grant from the Investor Protection Trust, DFI is partnering with Consumer University to bring investor education information directly to communities.
“In today’s difficult economy, it’s more important than ever for Washington residents to have the tools they need to make sound financial decisions,” DFI Director Scott Jarvis said. “It is our goal to provide those tools to residents throughout the state with this outreach project.”
Investor Education In Your Community ® workshops will include information about:
- The basics of investing and why it’s important to start early and assess your investment strategies regularly;
- How to avoid investment fraud;
- How to research an investment and/or investment broker/seller;
- The importance of creating and discussing a family budget openly with all family members;
- Why you should check your credit report regularly;
- Understanding the many facets of everyday life are impacted by your credit score and how to improve your score; and
- How thieves are out to steal your identity and how to avoid becoming a victim of identity theft – and what steps to take if you become a victim.
The first workshop kicking off the Investor Education In Your Community ® project will be:
- 11:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m., Wednesday, Oct. 7
- Wenatchee Library Auditorium, 310 Douglas Street
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Workshop topics will include:
- Basics of Saving & Investing
- Investment Fraud
- Improving Your Credit
- Identity Theft
- Q & A Session
To learn more about the project or to host a workshop in your community, visit www.dfi.wa.gov/IEIYC.
About DFI
www.dfi.wa.gov ▪ 360.902-8700 ▪ 877.746-4334
The Washington State Department of Financial Institutions regulates a variety of financial service providers such as banks, credit unions, mortgage brokers, consumer loan companies, payday lenders and securities brokers and dealers. The department also works to improve financial education throughout Washington through its outreach programs and online clearinghouse www.dfi.wa.gov/financial-education. In addition to posting information about licensees and administrative actions, DFI uses the Web and social media to provide financial education information: www.twitter.com/FinEd4All, www.twitter.com/DFIConsumers, finlit.blogspot.com, www.youtube.com/user/WADFI.
About Consumer University
www.consumeruniversity.com ▪ 206.295.2189
Consumer University’s programs teach people of all ages the same methods government regulators recommend when it comes to selecting an investment professional, engaging in transactions with financial institutions, and avoiding fraud. Consumer University programs are particularly noted for their unique style and fun approach to personal finance, investing basics, and fraud awareness. Founder Alicia C. Diefenbach, a former regulator of the financial services industries for nine years, launched Consumer University in 2003. After spending over four years on the front lines of mortgage loan fraud investigation and enforcement, Alicia wanted to take her knowledge of scams and frauds to the public, creating educational programs that help people identify and avoid financial crimes, while increasing their own personal wealth through sound investments, and increased savings.
About Investor Protection Trust
www.investorprotection.org ▪ 202.775.2112
The IPT is a nonprofit organization devoted to investor education. The primary mission of IPT is to provide independent, objective information needed by consumers to make informed investment decisions. Founded in 1993 as part of a multi-state settlement to resolve charges of misconduct, IPT serves as an independent source of non-commercial investor education materials. IPT operates programs under its own auspices and uses grants to underwrite important investor education and protection initiatives carried out by other organizations. The IPT provides investor education at both the state and national levels. Programs include the MoneyTrack national public television series, curriculum programs, public service announcements, research, state customized brochures, DVDs, and the Campaign for Wise and Safe Investing®.
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