Chairman Johnson Promotes Financial Literacy Across the Country

ALEXANDRIA, Va.-Getting back to her teaching roots during Financial Literacy Month in April, NCUA Chairman JoAnn Johnson is making several stops nationwide to promote financial education and credit unions’ efforts. On April 13, Johnson appeared with Treasury Deputy Assistant Secretary for Financial Education Dan Iannicola, Jr. at CUNA’s Madison, Wis. campus to discuss details of the Financial Literacy & Education Commission’s report, Taking Ownership of the Future: The National Strategy for Financial Literacy 2006, with Wisconsin government and credit union officials. The strategy is to serve as a blueprint for improving the awareness of the importance of homeownership, credit management and retirement savings. This meeting followed up on her participation in the April 4 national unveiling of the strategy with Treasury Secretary John Snow and key members of Congress in Washington, D.C. “This financial education strategy does an excellent job of emphasizing the importance of raising public awareness, developing sound tactics, and proposing prompt action which will equip both the public and private sectors to help educate American consumers,” Chairman Johnson remarked. She added, “The National Strategy for Financial Literacy is the right tool for the job. You have my word that NCUA will serve as a reliable partner in this effort and will apply the National Strategy to enhance the agency’s policies, outreach and initiatives in the future.” On May 1, Johnson will participate in an event in Chicago where she and fellow members of the Financial Literacy & Education Commission will discuss financial literacy outreach to those who do not currently use mainstream financial services. -