1
Money Smart News Winter 2011
IN THIS ISSUE
Message from the FDIC
Success Stories from the First
Year of Money Smart for Small
Business
FDIC Consumer Newsletter
Features Tips on Protecting
Your Money
Federal Banking Regulators
Request Comments on Revised
CRA Q&As
SBA Announces Plans for 2013
National Small Business Week
FDIC Advisory Committee
Meets to Discuss Trends in
Financial Services
Wanted: Your Practical Tips for
Teaching Money Smart
Message from the FDIC
It has been just one year since the FDIC and the U.S Small Business Ad-
ministration jointly released Money Smart for Small Busi-
ness (MSSB). We are pleased that in the past year the curriculum has
been available about 12,500 copies have been ordered. In addition, near-
ly 40 organizations have initiated (or completed) the process of becoming
members of the FDIC’s MSSB Training Alliance, which includes federal
agencies (such as the IRS), financial institutions, non-profits and universi-
ties that are using the curriculum and share their experiences on regular conference
calls. Given that the MSSB curriculum is intended for a niche market -- financial edu-
cators with experience providing training to small business -- we consider the numbers
to be a solid start.
Some organizations teach MSSB modules in their entirety. Others have incorporated
sections of MSSB modules into other training they provide to start-ups and other
emerging small businesses. The feedback from those who teach the curriculum has
been overwhelmingly positive. What have we learned? Smaller community-based and
nonprofit organizations in particular are looking for partners, such as financial institu-
tions, to help offer the course. And in response to other feedback, we are planning to
add modules on deposit insurance coverage for small businesses and how to develop
a business plan, so stay tuned for an updated version of Money Smart for Small Busi-
ness soon.
In this edition of Money Smart News we also highlight success stories involving collab-
orative efforts to teach MSBB to small businesses as well as some practical tips sug-
gested by FDIC staff. We hope this will foster new ideas and actions by our readers.
With all that we’re doing to promote financial education for small businesses, the FDIC
hasn’t overlooked our core financial education program, Money Smart for Consumers.
Enhancements scheduled to be released this year include a significantly revised edi-
tion of our version for the Money Smart Podcast Network (Mp3) that includes content
updates/enhancements and a new talk-show format. We also are planning to take a
comprehensive look at the Money Smart program for possible improvements, and for
that we hope to hear your thoughts and suggestions. One way to provide them is
through the Money Smart Annual Survey, which was e-mailed to Money Smart
News subscribers on April 26. If you haven’t already completed the survey, please do
so by June 14, 2013.
As always, contact the FDIC if we can help you pursue your goals for financial educa-
tion. Send us an e-mail at communityaffairs@FDIC.gov.
Mark Pearce
Director
FDIC Division of Depositor and Consumer Protection
Money Smart News Winter 2011
IN THIS ISSUE
Message from the FDIC
Success Stories from the First
Year of Money Smart for Small
Business
FDIC Consumer Newsletter
Features Tips on Protecting
Your Money
Federal Banking Regulators
Request Comments on Revised
CRA Q&As
SBA Announces Plans for 2013
National Small Business Week
FDIC Advisory Committee
Meets to Discuss Trends in
Financial Services
Wanted: Your Practical Tips for
Teaching Money Smart
Message from the FDIC
It has been just one year since the FDIC and the U.S Small Business Ad-
ministration jointly released Money Smart for Small Busi-
ness (MSSB). We are pleased that in the past year the curriculum has
been available about 12,500 copies have been ordered. In addition, near-
ly 40 organizations have initiated (or completed) the process of becoming
members of the FDIC’s MSSB Training Alliance, which includes federal
agencies (such as the IRS), financial institutions, non-profits and universi-
ties that are using the curriculum and share their experiences on regular conference
calls. Given that the MSSB curriculum is intended for a niche market -- financial edu-
cators with experience providing training to small business -- we consider the numbers
to be a solid start.
Some organizations teach MSSB modules in their entirety. Others have incorporated
sections of MSSB modules into other training they provide to start-ups and other
emerging small businesses. The feedback from those who teach the curriculum has
been overwhelmingly positive. What have we learned? Smaller community-based and
nonprofit organizations in particular are looking for partners, such as financial institu-
tions, to help offer the course. And in response to other feedback, we are planning to
add modules on deposit insurance coverage for small businesses and how to develop
a business plan, so stay tuned for an updated version of Money Smart for Small Busi-
ness soon.
In this edition of Money Smart News we also highlight success stories involving collab-
orative efforts to teach MSBB to small businesses as well as some practical tips sug-
gested by FDIC staff. We hope this will foster new ideas and actions by our readers.
With all that we’re doing to promote financial education for small businesses, the FDIC
hasn’t overlooked our core financial education program, Money Smart for Consumers.
Enhancements scheduled to be released this year include a significantly revised edi-
tion of our version for the Money Smart Podcast Network (Mp3) that includes content
updates/enhancements and a new talk-show format. We also are planning to take a
comprehensive look at the Money Smart program for possible improvements, and for
that we hope to hear your thoughts and suggestions. One way to provide them is
through the Money Smart Annual Survey, which was e-mailed to Money Smart
News subscribers on April 26. If you haven’t already completed the survey, please do
so by June 14, 2013.
As always, contact the FDIC if we can help you pursue your goals for financial educa-
tion. Send us an e-mail at communityaffairs@FDIC.gov.
Mark Pearce
Director
FDIC Division of Depositor and Consumer Protection
2
Money Smart News Winter 2011
Success Stories from the First Year of Money Smart for Small Business
In April 2012, the FDIC and the U.S. Small Business Administration launched Money Smart for Small Business (MSBB)
to help meet the educational needs of prospective and existing entrepreneurs. Do you want some examples of how the
curriculum has been used over the past one year? Read this edition of our success stories from organizations that have
been using MSBB. (Read the stories.)
FDIC Consumer Newsletter Features Tips on Protecting Your Money
The Winter 2012/2013 issue of FDIC Consumer News features practical tips and information on some of the most im-
portant topics raised by consumers, including key things to know about resolving common financial problems, avoiding
scams, safely conducting mobile banking, and understanding federal deposit insurance coverage. Financial educators
are encouraged to use FDIC Consumer News as a supplemental handout for students. See this issue of the newsletter
and subscription information (the newsletter is available free) at www.fdic.gov/consumers/consumer/news/cnwin1213.
Federal Banking Regulators Request Comments on Revised CRA Q&As;
On March 18, 2013, federal banking regulators proposed clarifying their interagency questions and answers regarding
the Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) to address several issues related to community development by banks, includ-
ing one involving financial education. Comments on the proposed questions and answers were due May 17, 2013. The
agencies are reviewing the comments. For more information, visit the Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council
Web site at http://www.ffiec.gov/cra.
SBA Announces Plans for 2013 National Small Business Week
The U.S. Small Business Administration will hold its 2013 National Small Business Week program at various locations
across the country from June 17 through June 21. The week consists of events that feature tools and ideas to start and
grow small businesses. The week may be an opportunity for financial educators to promote or offer Money Smart for
Small Business training. To learn more, see the SBA press release at http://www.sba.gov/about-sba-
services/7367/549191.
FDIC Advisory Committee Meets to Discuss Trends in Financial Services
The most recent meeting of the FDIC’s Advisory Committee on Economic Inclusion (ComE-In) was held on May 16,
2013. The meeting included further discussions on the evolving trends in financial services with a focus on mobile bank-
ing, updates on safe accounts and savings initiatives. To access PowerPoint presentations, watch a video of the meet-
ing and otherwise learn more, start at http://www.fdic.gov/about/comein/2013/2013-05-16_agenda.html.
Wanted: Your Practical Tips for Teaching Money Smart
Money Smart News is announcing plans for a new feature that will highlight tips from Money Smart educators. We’re
calling it “Money Smart Teaching Tips.” This is an opportunity to share your ideas and successes with hundreds of oth-
er Money Smart educators...and learn new strategies from them as well. Please send us your thoughts on unusual sub-
jects, teaching techniques and/or marketing strategies that are working well. Your suggestions on any topic are wel-
come at any time. However, because we hope to publish tips on how to reach senior citizens with financial education in
our first installment, we ask for those submissions by June 24, 2013. Please send your tips
to MoneySmartNews@fdic.gov. This new feature will supplement -- not replace -- the success stories in Money
Smart News.
Money Smart News Winter 2011
Success Stories from the First Year of Money Smart for Small Business
In April 2012, the FDIC and the U.S. Small Business Administration launched Money Smart for Small Business (MSBB)
to help meet the educational needs of prospective and existing entrepreneurs. Do you want some examples of how the
curriculum has been used over the past one year? Read this edition of our success stories from organizations that have
been using MSBB. (Read the stories.)
FDIC Consumer Newsletter Features Tips on Protecting Your Money
The Winter 2012/2013 issue of FDIC Consumer News features practical tips and information on some of the most im-
portant topics raised by consumers, including key things to know about resolving common financial problems, avoiding
scams, safely conducting mobile banking, and understanding federal deposit insurance coverage. Financial educators
are encouraged to use FDIC Consumer News as a supplemental handout for students. See this issue of the newsletter
and subscription information (the newsletter is available free) at www.fdic.gov/consumers/consumer/news/cnwin1213.
Federal Banking Regulators Request Comments on Revised CRA Q&As;
On March 18, 2013, federal banking regulators proposed clarifying their interagency questions and answers regarding
the Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) to address several issues related to community development by banks, includ-
ing one involving financial education. Comments on the proposed questions and answers were due May 17, 2013. The
agencies are reviewing the comments. For more information, visit the Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council
Web site at http://www.ffiec.gov/cra.
SBA Announces Plans for 2013 National Small Business Week
The U.S. Small Business Administration will hold its 2013 National Small Business Week program at various locations
across the country from June 17 through June 21. The week consists of events that feature tools and ideas to start and
grow small businesses. The week may be an opportunity for financial educators to promote or offer Money Smart for
Small Business training. To learn more, see the SBA press release at http://www.sba.gov/about-sba-
services/7367/549191.
FDIC Advisory Committee Meets to Discuss Trends in Financial Services
The most recent meeting of the FDIC’s Advisory Committee on Economic Inclusion (ComE-In) was held on May 16,
2013. The meeting included further discussions on the evolving trends in financial services with a focus on mobile bank-
ing, updates on safe accounts and savings initiatives. To access PowerPoint presentations, watch a video of the meet-
ing and otherwise learn more, start at http://www.fdic.gov/about/comein/2013/2013-05-16_agenda.html.
Wanted: Your Practical Tips for Teaching Money Smart
Money Smart News is announcing plans for a new feature that will highlight tips from Money Smart educators. We’re
calling it “Money Smart Teaching Tips.” This is an opportunity to share your ideas and successes with hundreds of oth-
er Money Smart educators...and learn new strategies from them as well. Please send us your thoughts on unusual sub-
jects, teaching techniques and/or marketing strategies that are working well. Your suggestions on any topic are wel-
come at any time. However, because we hope to publish tips on how to reach senior citizens with financial education in
our first installment, we ask for those submissions by June 24, 2013. Please send your tips
to MoneySmartNews@fdic.gov. This new feature will supplement -- not replace -- the success stories in Money
Smart News.