NEWS RELEASE 2011
ABA Media Contact: Marquita Robertson  

(202) 663-5418
E-mail: mrobertson@aba.com

ABA EDUCATION FOUNDATION ANNOUNCES FALL FINANCIAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS
National Programs Attract More than 1,000 Banks

WASHINGTON, June 21 – Today the American Bankers Association Education Foundation announced the dates and details of their fall banker-driven financial education programs: Lights, Camera, Save! which will run Oct. 1 thru Nov. 1 and Get Smart About Credit Day set for Oct. 20 and celebrated throughout the month.

"The foundation's fall programs give bankers the framework to impact students in a way that's meaningful, but also fun and easy," explained Laura Fisher, executive director of the ABA Education Foundation. "Our Lights, Camera, Save! contest meets students on their level through video, while our credit program gives them a snapshot of adult responsibilities in managing credit.  Both programs challenge young people to think critically about their financial values and expectations sooner rather than later in life."

The Lights, Camera, Save! video contest, an offshoot of the ABA Education Foundation's Teach Children to Save program, is a unique competition that encourages young people to use video to communicate the value of saving and inspire others to become lifelong savers. Banks will host the local level of the competition and will select a winner to represent their bank and compete on the national level for a $3,000, $1,500 or $500 U.S. savings bond. Online banker registration will begin on June 27. [View the last year's winning videos]

The Get Smart About Credit program – now in its ninth year – is a national campaign of volunteer bankers who help young people develop responsible credit habits. These volunteer bankers use the annual awareness day – Get Smart About Credit Day – held the third Thursday of October as an opportunity to leave the bank for the classroom. There they share with students ways to use credit responsibly and explore terms like "APR" and "credit scores." Get Smart About Credit online banker registration will begin July 26.

"It's a challenge for bankers to teach financial education year after year and keep it fresh. The foundation gives banks the opportunity to plug into a larger effort that has national recognition and a full time staff," added Fisher.  

Both programs are turnkey with free "how to" webinars, live customer support for registered banker participants and getting started materials. Registration is required for webinar participation and the dates are as follows: Lights, Camera, Save! (July 14 and 19); Get Smart About Credit (Aug. 23 and Sept. 8). The Lights, Camera, Save! contest offers free co-brandable promotional materials with a refreshed look, while the Get Smart About Credit program has a companion resource kit and lesson plans that bankers can choose from.

Bankers interested in participating in any of the foundation's programs can sign up online at www.abaef.com. All registered banks will be listed on the honor roll, the foundation's list of participating banks.

The ABA Education Foundation provides financial education programs and resources that help bankers make their communities better. Nearly 100,000 bankers have taught basic finance skills to about 4 million young people through participation in the Foundation's signature programs, Teach Children to Save and Get Smart About Credit. Founded by bankers in 1925, the foundation is guided by a board of bankers and is an affiliate of the American Bankers Association.

For more information, visit www.abaef.com or call 1-800-BANKERS.  

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