Consumer Education

When 20 percent or more of banks in Montana sign up to participate, MBA’s name will be added to the perpetual plaque at ABA. MBA will also be honored at ABA’s Staff Workshop in front of an audience of their peers! MBA’s name will be published on the ABA Web site, in the Spirit of Banking newsletter, and in the ABA Bankers News.

So that MBA and your bank will receive proper recognition, make sure to sign up for Teach Children To Save Day at:

National Teach Children To Save Day
National Teach Children To Save Day, April 29, 2008.

Get Smart About Credit Day

Credit is more than just a plastic card you use to buy things—it is your financial trustworthiness. The decisions you make today about how you manage your credit and the rest of your finances will affect you for a long time to come.  A bad credit history can haunt you for years, affecting your ability to get a new credit card, a bank loan or mortgage, and even a job.

Bankers across the country are committed to helping consumers "Get Smart About Credit."  The programs and resources highlighted here teach consumers not only how to manage a credit card, but also how to read a credit report, protect personal financial information and recognize the signs of overspending.  This isn't just nice-to-know information.  These are need-to-know facts for anyone using credit - whether in the form of a credit card, student loan or car loan. For more information email Laura Fisher at edufoun@aba.com or visit http://www.aba.com/abaef/gsac.

Help children, teens, and adults learn more about money and personal financial management.

Personal Economics Program (PEP)
Personal Economics Program (PEP) is a national volunteer education program of bankers working with educators to teach people in their communities about banks, banking services and personal financial management, and help them take control of their finances. While supported nationally by the ABA Foundation, PEP is implemented locally by MBA with the Montana Council on Economic Education. Call MCEE at 406/388-0628, to receive educational materials and videos. The only costs incurred by the bank are for return postage and/or optional handout materials.

Montana Council on Economic Education (MCEE)
Their Mission is to insure every young person in Montana understands the essential economic concepts of a free market system, is able to use economic ways of thinking and problem solving, and has a solid grasp of the workings of a state, national and global economy. MCEE is affiliated with the National Council on Economic Education.

ABAWorks on Fraud: Identity Theft Red Flag Regulation
On December 3, 2003, the President signed the Fair and Accurate Credit Transaction Act. Among the provisions to addres identity theft is the "identity theft red flag" provision, which instructs federal agencies to adopt guidelines to address identity theft and to adopt regulations for financial institutions and creditors to implement those guidelines. ABA is providing you this website offering you an analysis of the Trgulation and Guidelines and suggestons on how to develop your Identity Theft Prevention Program in order to comply with the Rgulation.

FDIC Phishing Alerts
The FDIC has created this webpage to inform and warn consumers about a type of fraud called “phishing.” The term "phishing" – as in fishing for confidential information - refers to a scam that encompasses fraudulently obtaining and using an individual's personal or financial information.

www.kidsbank.com
aimed toward elementary school children, explains where money comes from and how banks operate.

www.mainxchange.com
gives teens an opportunity to play an online interactive game of investing with virtual money in publicly traded companies.

www.moneyopolis.org
designed for grades 6-8, presents real-life problems in learning spending and saving money.

http://www.practicalmoneyskills.com/english/at_school/
practical money skills for life.