Pennsylvania Governor Corbett Proclaims April as 'Financial Education Month'

HARRISBURG, Pa., April 5, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- In recognition that financial education is essential to ensure that Pennsylvanians of all ages are prepared to manage money, credit, investments and debt, Governor Tom Corbett today proclaimed April to be "Financial Education Month" in Pennsylvania.

"As our economy continues to improve, it is important for Pennsylvanians to make educated decisions about how to invest and protect their money," Corbett said. "I salute those institutions and agencies committed to providing education and services that will improve the quality of life for Pennsylvanians, provide them with skills for financial success, as well as strengthen Pennsylvania's economy."

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

• Many Pennsylvania banks, which will be participating in "Teach Children to Save Day" on April 23;
• Many Pennsylvania credit unions, which will be participating in "National Credit Union Youth Week," celebrated April 21-27;
• The Pennsylvania Department of Banking and Securities, which will be co-sponsoring a "Money Matters" investor education conference on April 30 in the Pittsburgh region; who, through its Consumer Services outreach, assists thousands of Pennsylvanians each year make informed decisions on financial matters; and through its moneysbestfriend.com website, provides consumers with information about personal money management issues;
• The Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency, which provides the "Building Your Financial House" program for Pennsylvania renters, homebuyers and homeowners; and
• The Pennsylvania Jump$tart Coalition for Personal Financial Literacy, which is working to improve financial education in kindergarten through 12th grade.

Editor's Note: The text of Governor Corbett's proclamation follows:

FINANCIAL EDUCATION MONTH - April 2013

WHEREAS, financial education can help ensure that Pennsylvanians of all ages invest in their future and ably manage their personal finances; and

WHEREAS, Pennsylvanians who learn to successfully navigate through an increasingly complex global financial marketplace can improve the quality of their lives as well as help strengthen the commonwealth's economy; and

WHEREAS, the "Money Matters" investor education conference on April 30 in the Pittsburgh region offers programs for Pennsylvanians on how to build personal wealth and protect their money as part of the Campaign for Wise and Safe Investing, a collaboration between the AARP Foundation, the Investor Protection Trust, the Pennsylvania Department of Banking and Securities and AARP Pennsylvania; and

WHEREAS, the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency provides the "Building Your Financial House" program for Pennsylvania renters, homebuyers and homeowners to learn how to strengthen their financial foundation and build a sound financial future; and

WHEREAS, the Department of Banking and Securities, through its Consumer Services outreach, assists thousands of Pennsylvanians each year make informed decisions on financial matters, and through its moneysbestfriend.com website, provides consumers with a trusted source of information about personal money management issues and connections to local financial education resources; and

WHEREAS, many banks will participate in "Teach Children to Save Day" on April 23, and many credit unions will participate in "National Credit Union Youth Week" from April 21-27, during which financial professionals will visit Pennsylvania schools and teach young people basic principles of saving and spending; and

WHEREAS, the Pennsylvania Jump$tart Coalition for Personal Financial Literacy, is working to improve financial education in kindergarten through twelfth grade.

THEREFORE, in special recognition of the importance of affordable, accessible, high-quality financial education, I, Tom Corbett, Governor of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, do hereby proclaim April 2013 FINANCIAL EDUCATION MONTH in Pennsylvania and encourage all citizens to take advantage of opportunities to learn how to improve their personal finance habits.

TOM CORBETT, Governor                                                                                                

Media contacts:
Ed Novak, Department of Banking and Securities; 717-783-4721
Kelli Roberts, Governor's Office; 717-783-1116

SOURCE Pennsylvania Department of Banking