West Michigan Community Bank 's Financial Awareness Program
Your one stop resource for your financial education needs...
FDIC - Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation:
FDIC - Consumer Protection - Find resources provided by the FDIC to educate and protect consumers, revitalize communities, and promote compliance with the Community Reinvestment Act and fair lending laws.
FDIC - Electronic Deposit Insurance Estimator - An interactive application that can help you learn about deposit insurance.
FDIC - Money Smart - The Money Smart curriculum helps individuals build financial knowledge, develop financial confidence, and use banking services effectively. The Money Smart program may be used by banks and other organizations interested in sponsoring financial education workshops.
Train-the-Trainer Program - Provides guidance to one or more lead trainers who either provide financial education training, are part of the FDIC Money Smart Alliance partnership or are interested in implementing a financial education program for their organization. These lead trainers, in turn, conduct workshops in their organizations for additional instructors or move directly to classroom instruction for Money Smart students. The Train-the-Trainer program ensures all instructors receive an overview of the curriculum and basic techniques that will provide a consistent level of instruction and delivery for Money Smart.
Consumers Guide to Credit:
WHATSMYSCORE.ORG - A helpful resource for obtaining and understanding your credit report. Find assistance for:
- Improving your credit score
- Obtaining your free credit report
- Top 5 credit myths
American Center for Credit Educators:
Credit When Credit is Due - Individuals who successfully complete the CWCID program are better equipped to handle their finances. The primary tool in the program is a twelve-lesson workbook. Credit When Credit is Due, which is also available in Spanish, (CRÉDITO AL MÉRITO), in audio and video form, and online. The course is designed to give consumers the information they need to understand how credit and debt work and to develop responsible money management strategies.
Freddie Mac - Your Route to Homeownership:
Freddie Mac's Online Homebuying Guide - This award-winning online tutorial, Your Route to Homeownership, provides easy to understand and in-depth information on all aspects of buying a home, from understanding the pros and cons of homeownership to demystifying the mortgage process. Included are calculators and worksheets to help along the way.
Credit Smart from Freddie Mac - Designed to help customers obtain the knowledge and skills necessary to manage their finances and positively impact their credit. The more they know about credit, the better position they will be in to take advantage of the benefits of good credit.
Predatory Lending - Home Ownership Matters:
Home Ownership Matters - The Consumers Guide to Predatory Lending is an excellent resource. Home Ownership Matters was created to help consumers become more knowledgeable about the entire spectrum of home ownership, initial planning, steps toward buying, home maintenance, plus refinancing or the sale of a home.
Additional Financial Education Resources:
My Money.gov - The U.S. Financial Literacy and Education Commission - Providing financial education resources for all Americans.
Banking Questions.com - Post your question now or learn from the hundreds of Q&As, articles, podcasts and videos already on the site. We explain banking rules and regulations in an easily understandable way!
Resources for Students:
The Hartford Playbook For Life - The student's guide to understanding and planning your financial future.
Jump Start - Financial smarts for students.
Practical Money Skills For Life - Budget building, It's your life!
Family Education - Help your teen look at the big picture before they get a surprise in the form of credit card bills, bounced checks, or automated teller machines that refuse to surrender cash.
Teen Business Link - Start it...Grow it...Own it
Consumer Connection:
American Banker Association - Source and advice on banking and personal finance.
Investment Resources:
Securities and Exchange Commission - Questions you should ask about your investments, and what to do if you run into problems.
Financial Calculators:
West Michigan Community Bank Calculators - Assist you in planning, estimating, and exploring your financial options. Get clear and concise answers about your banking calculations.
Savings Bonds:
Treasury Direct - The first and only financial services website that lets you buy and redeem securities directly from the U.S. Department of the Treasury in paperless electronic form.
Financial Planning Resources:
Learn About Financial Planning - Finding a financial planner you trust can be a helpful step in securing your financial future.
Internet Safety Toolkit Available:
Internet Safety Toolkit - Microsoft Corp. has made this toolkit available for community banks to share with their customers and communities on safe Internet usage. It contains brochures, fact sheets, posters, flyers, slide presentations and video announcements.
Resources for Teachers:
The Stock Market Game - Gives students the chance to invest a hypothetical $100,000 in an on-line portfolio. They think they're playing a game. You know they're learning economic and financial concepts they'll use for the rest of their lives.
Michigan Council on Economic Education - Provides leadership promoting and strengthening economic education in our state.
KidsEcon Posters - Dedicated to giving teachers the tools they need to help their students understand the exciting economic world around them - making them more effective producers, consumers, savers, investors, and voting citizens.
Identity Theft Prevention:
Learn to protect yourself from Identity Theft. West Michigan Communtiy Bank can help.
