Bankers Promoting Financial Literacy, formerly the WBA Personal Economics Program (PEP), is a partnership of bankers, educators and others voluntarily working together to educate Wisconsin residents of all ages. Banker presentations focus on budgeting, saving, money management issues, economics, currency and more.
How does Bankers Promoting Financial Literacy work?
The Wisconsin Bankers Association and American Bankers Association Education Foundation make available professionally produced curriculum materials that include lesson plans, handouts, worksheets and educational videos. However, these are only guidelines to help bankers and teachers get started.
Educators are encouraged to work with the volunteers from the banks to create their own lessons. They might use skits, stories, activities, games, web sites and more to teach money skills, math, social studies, history and economics. Students can form a club, establish an in-school bank or take a tour of a local bank.
Adult and senior citizen audiences benefit from discussions on avoiding financial scams, such as predatory lending and identity theft.
Because financial education is a collaborative effort, bankers also work with other organizations – they volunteer their time for Junior Achievement programs, Economics Wisconsin’s Stock Market Game and America’s Promise initiatives, just to name a few.
The Wisconsin Bankers Association also supports the National Institute of Financial and Economic Literacy, a summer teacher training workshop at Edgewood College in Madison.
When is a good time to begin?
Bankers work with schools and community groups – Scouts, 4-H, cultural centers, senior groups and more – throughout the year.
In the spring, hundreds of bankers participate each year in National Teach Children to Save Day.
In the fall, the focus is on teens and young adults, with Get Smart About Credit Day.
Important Financial Education Dates:
2010
April Financial Literacy Month
April 27 Teach Children to Save Day
Oct. 12-18 Money Smart Week®
Oct. 17-23 Protect Your Identity Week
Oct. 21 Get Smart About Credit Day
2011
April Financial Literacy Month
April 12 Teach Children to Save Day
How do I get started?
For more information, please contact:
WBA Financial Literacy Coordinator
(608) 441-1237
E-mail