September 2023 Money Smart Newsletter

In This Issue

September Monthly Message from the FDIC
Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month
Latest FDIC Consumer News Edition
Tips and Techniques

September Monthly Message from the FDIC

Along with the first day of fall, September ushers in several opportunities to use Money Smart materials.

National Hispanic Heritage Month, celebrated from September 15 to October 15 each year, recognizes and celebrates the many contributions, diverse cultures, and extensive histories of the Hispanic community. The FDIC celebrates these accomplishments by increasing access to financial education and financial services resources. Visit Money Smart in Spanish and join us at our upcoming webinars celebrating National Hispanic Heritage Month.

Also observed each September is National Preparedness Month. It is designed to raise awareness about preparing for disasters and emergencies. The 2023 theme is “Preparing Older Adults.” Money Smart for Older Adults is a perfect fit with Planning for Unexpected Life Events, which features “How to be Financially Prepared for Disasters.”

September is also National College Savings Month, a time when people begin planning for college expenses. Parents can use 529 Plans (www.investor.gov/saving-education-529-plans), a state-sponsored plan to save for a child’s education. College-aged students can find help with Money Smart Module 11, Paying for Education and Training. This module helps participants consider the benefits and costs of education and training after high school and how to pay for it.

Whichever way you use Money Smart in September, join us on social media using the #FDICMoneySmart and show us the Money Smart products in action!

Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month

We celebrate National Hispanic Heritage Month to acknowledge the accomplishments and significant contributions of Hispanic Americans to our history, economy, and culture. Hispanics are the fastest-growing minority group in the United States. According to the 2020 population estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau, they represent the largest ethnic minority group in the country, comprising approximately 18.7 percent of the total U.S. population. Approximately 53 million people in the United States speak Spanish, with around 41 million being native Spanish speakers and nearly 12 million being bilingual.

The FDIC has been instrumental in providing financial education to the Hispanic community. The Money Smart financial education program equips individuals with the necessary knowledge, tools, and resources to manage their finances effectively, access mainstream banking, and cultivate positive banking relationships. The Money Smart family offers several programs in Spanish:

Money Smart for Adults and the financial education game How Money Smart Are You provide individuals with practical knowledge, skills-building opportunities, and resources they can use to manage their finances with confidence;
Money Smart for Small Business introduces entrepreneurs to topics related to starting and managing a business;
Money Smart for Older Adults raises awareness among older adults and their caregivers on how to prevent fraud, scams, and other elder financial exploitation; and
The Parent and Caregiver Guides of Money Smart for Young People offers practical activities and conversation-starters on financial topics such as saving, setting financial goals, prioritizing spending decisions, and staying safe online.

The FDIC actively works to foster financial inclusion by encouraging banks to serve diverse communities and support community development initiatives and partnerships that promote economic growth and stability for the Hispanic community.

Latest FDIC Consumer News Edition

The September 2023 edition of the FDIC Consumer News is titled “Fraud Against The Elderly.” It provides tips to help the elderly spot and prevent financial abuse. Read the full article here.

Tips and Techniques

If you are using Money Smart electronically, consider adding subject-related questions (using polling, if the feature is available) during your presentation to keep your audience engaged. You can also encourage anonymous questions using a chat feature.