Financial fair planned
The first Financial Education Fair in southwestern Pennsylvania will be held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. June 2 at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center, Pittsburgh. Free and open to the public, the Financial Education Consortium of Southwestern Pennsylvania will present seminars and informational booths on financial literacy at the upcoming fair.
Given decreasing real income (income adjusted for inflation) and the recent rise in foreclosure rates, the need for clear information on financial matters is particularly pressing, a consortium spokesman said.
To that end, the Financial Education Consortium will hold eight seminars throughout the day.
Some of the topics for discussion will focus on financial management issues like: “Bankruptcy and Foreclosure Prevention, Found a Home? Now Learn How to Avoid a Bad Loan, From Debt to Wealth: How to Save $1 Million, Know your Credit and ID Theft,’ and “Youth Financial Literacy,’ as well as other essential financial subjects.
Financial Education Consortium members, such as the PA Department of Financial Education, the YWCA Asset Development Initiative and the Butler County Emergency Relief Initiative of the United Way, along with approximately 30 other organizations, will be on hand at information tables to share the details of their financial education programs.
The Financial Education Consortium of Southwestern Pennsylvania is a coalition of organizations committed to the coordination and advancement of financial literacy efforts in southwestern Pennsylvania.
Participation in the consortium is voluntary, and it includes financial institutions, nonprofit organizations and government agencies.
The consortium was created in 2003 by the Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland.
It is currently administered by Neighborhood Housing Services.
Chaired by Esther Bush, president and CEO of the Urban League of Pittsburgh, the event will also unveil a new Web site for residents of western Pennsylvania interested in taking control of their finances.
Demonstrations of the new site, www.YouControlYourMoney.org, will be ongoing from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Members of the Financial Education Consortium will sponsor the event. Premier sponsors include Clearview Federal Credit Union, Citizens Bank, Dollar Bank, First Commonwealth Bank, National City, Northwest Savings Bank, PNC Bank and Sky Bank.