Welcome to the 2022 Sponsor Spotlight series! As we prepare for #AFCPE2022, November 16-18, 2022, we are excited to introduce you to a few of our incredible Sponsors! Learn more about the organizations in the Exhibit Hall next week.

1. Who are you?

Advantage Publications is a Boston based woman-owned publisher of interactive hand-held financial slide calculators, booklets and brochures.

Our mission is to increase financial literacy and readiness, empower positive economic choices and to encourage thoughtful financial behavior.

Advantage’s hand held sliding calculators assist audiences needing a visual and interactive understanding of various financial topics. They offer the opportunity to simulate real life financial situations, to easily change variables and to immediately visualize how ones choices can create high impact financial results in areas such as budgeting, student loan debt, retirement savings, or credit card debt.

We encourage you to visit our website and select free samples, as we believe that our product is best reviewed by trying it out: https://www.advantagepublications.com/samples

All Advantage slide calculators are available personalized with an organization logo and contact information, making them useful marketing materials for events such as Financial Capability Month, Money Smart Week, and America Saves and for marketing financial education programs such as college/university money management/financial wellness centers or military personal financial management offices.

Since 1978, our informative, motivating, and user-friendly calculators have supported thousands of programs and benefited millions of people in financial education, readiness, and communication programs. Advantage is headed up by Kirby Williams, who purchased the company in 2019 after 11 years as an employee.

2. What’s new?

Scholarship Initiative

In the past year, Advantage has traveled to exhibit at: the Jump$tart National Educator’s Conference (Advantage is a Jump$tart National Partner,) the first #MilMoneyCon in Raleigh, NC, and at HEFWA in Knoxville, TN. Advantage was also a sponsor of the annual AMBA Workshop in September 2022. We have loved reconnecting with colleagues and friends and have had the opportunity to collaborate on exciting projects with organizations we admire, including DoughMain Financial Literacy Foundation, the University of Kentucky and Freelance Corporal. Advantage is proud to announce a company policy implemented in honor of our founder, Victor Claman, wherein for each event or conference that Advantage Publications attends, we will sponsor scholarships for financial educators to also attend. We hope to grow the program in 2023, and have been delighted to sponsor 12 scholarships over the period of November 2021 to late October 2022.

New Product

In November 2021 Advantage Publications introduced “giant” slide calculators (20 inches tall, and yes, they work just like a regular size calculator!) as part of the Classroom Presentation Set; where one can order a set of 25 regular sized calculators and one 20 inch, working slide calculator of the same title (additional regular sized calculators are available to purchase and personalize at a discounted rate) in three titles: The Paycheck Power® Booster®, “Credit Card Smarts” and “The Match Booster® (Based on the Blended Retirement System.)

3. Why is financial capability important to your organization?

Financial capability is what Advantage calculators aim to help people achieve. Our products simplify concepts and offer action steps that feel possible and make an impact over time, without judgment. We hope that the feeling of motivation people get from using our calculators leads them to want to learn more and if necessary, to ask for help. This is one giant reason why the AFC certification in so important: you, the counselors, are the people who are ready for that request for assistance. Your education, practical knowledge, the resources you can provide: you are a trust worthy source of information with an unmatched network through AFCPE. We couldn’t do what we do without you.

4. How can financial professionals get involved with your organization?

At Advantage, the tools we create provide a spark of knowledge, an “aha!” moment where concepts such as credit card or student loan debt, saving for retirement, compound interest or the Blended Retirement System are introduced and in an easy to understand manner and the user can pull the slide to simulate a  “what will happen if…” financial situation. We hope that the interactive experience of using one of our calculators demonstrates that in many financial situations, small steps add up over time and are worth taking. It is this action oriented motivation that we feel can bring a person to an AFC with questions, for a plan or for help. If used with an AFC in a classroom, event or counseling setting, Advantage calculators can open the conversation, be used to reinforce points in a completely non confrontational way, and as all Advantage calculators can be personalized with a logo and contact information, they also serve as a valuable marketing or SWAG piece to promote and bring people to your business, organization or program.

AFC’s, AFC candidates, and any other interested person may request free samples to review. We happily mail these out to anyone who requests because we want you to review and experience Advantage slide calculators. Most people don’t immediately know what a slide calculator is – no problem, we will send you a set. The sample request link: https://www.advantagepublications.com/samples

Connect With Advantage Publications:

Kirby Williams, President and Publishing Director

schell@advantagepublications.com

617-742-3222 or 800-323-6809, extension 104 or 105

cell: 413-522-5491

www.advantagepublications.com

Stop by and visit Advantage Publications at their exhibit booth at #AFCPE2022!

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Welcome to the 2022 Sponsor Spotlight series! As we prepare for #AFCPE2022, November 16-18, 2022, we are excited to introduce you to our incredible Sponsors! Learn more about the organizations you’ll find in the Exhibit Hall this November.

1. Who are you?

At the National Endowment for Financial Education (NEFE), we are champions of effective financial education and are the independent, centralizing voice providing leadership, research and collaboration to advance financial well-being. As one of the first organizations to embark on the mission of wholly dedicating its efforts on improving the effectiveness of financial education, NEFE continues its legacy of strengthening action-oriented research agendas, mobilizing intermediaries, and creating better solutions for researchers, educators, practitioners and policymakers.

2. What are you looking forward to as an organization?

We are celebrating our 30^th year of operations in 2022! We have used this milestone to discuss and explore how far we have come as a field, as well as look to what the future holds for the next 30 years.

Moving forward, as part of our organizational goals for 2023 and beyond, we will continue our commitment to being what the field needs us to be. Right now, we believe that is as a strategic leader who invests where it is most needed to advance the field. We are looking forward to developing strong strategic partnerships, funding exciting research projects, codifying the role DEI initiatives play, and expanding our audience through collaborations with other industries.

3. Why is financial capability important to your organization?

Financial capability is the combination of effective financial education and opportunities to use that education to move toward financial well-being. Over the past three decades, we have seen first-hand how financial capability moves the needle in improving peoples’ lives, and we see it as our responsibility to use our platform to take this concept as far as we can.

4. This year we are celebrating #30YearsofAFC. How has the AFC® certification impacted your organization?

The AFC is an incredibly valuable training tool to build expertise in financial topics and to understand how to best work with individuals and communities to make meaningful change in their financial wellbeing. Several NEFE staff members are AFCs, and as an organization we have sponsored more than 100 individuals in the field to pursue the certification. The AFC continues to build the quality of the professionals engaging with learners and clients in this space.

5. How can financial professionals get involved with you?

Those interested in learning more about our expertise and thought leadership can visit www.nefe.org, follow us on Twitter or LinkedIn, and sign up to receive our email communications.

The post #AFCPE2022 Sponsor Spotlight: NEFE appeared first on AFCPE.

Welcome to the 2022 Sponsor Spotlight series! As we prepare for #AFCPE2022, November 16-18, 2022, we are excited to introduce you to our incredible Sponsors! Learn more about the organizations you’ll find in the Exhibit Hall this November.

1. Who are you?
AMBA – The Association of Military Banks of America is a not-for-profit bank trade association representing banks and related financial service providers that share a common mission to serve military personnel, veterans, and their families. AMBA and its members work to help the military and veteran communities achieve financial success by providing exceptional financial products, services, and financial education. AMBA members located on and off military installations serve their customer’s needs by developing a deep understanding of military life, culture, and challenges facing military and veteran families.

2. What’s new?
In December 2019, the Veterans Benefits Banking Program (VBBP) launched in partnership with the Association of Military Banks of America (AMBA) and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). This program seeks to provide additional banking and direct deposit options to the more than 250,000 Veterans who at the time were unbanked and receiving monthly monetary benefits on prepaid debit cards or checks. The program launched initially with four participating banks on AMBA’s VBBP bridge website. As of October 2022, more than 190,000 Veterans are now considered banked and are receiving their benefits via direct deposit to a financial institution. Currently, 43 banks and credit unions participate in VBBP.
In February 2022, the VBBP website was redesigned to include additional financial resources for Veterans. New VBBP 2.0 features include an updated informational video and social media platforms.

Several new VBBP 2.0 resources are provided by AMBA’s non-profit partners:

1. The Association for Financial Counseling and Planning Education (AFCPE) and the National Foundation for Credit Counseling (NFCC) offer Veterans one free Credit Counseling or Financial Counseling Session.
2. The Military Family Advisory Network (MFAN) offers VetCents, a module-based, tailored financial education program for Veterans adapted from MilCents, an award-winning financial education platform for the military.
3. Additional resources for Veterans include Cybercrime Support Network materials, additional VA information on Identity Theft and Fraud, and a dynamic compilation of resources to help Veterans on their path to financial wellness.

AMBA, in collaboration with DCUC and Lightbulb Press, also created the Armed Forces Financial Guide. This guide provides key information on important financial issues like qualifying for and accessing service member and military family benefits, reading a military Leave and Earnings Statement, everyday finances, planning for the future and much more. More information about the guide can be found at www.ambahq.org.
AMBA also created MILDOCS – a financial preparedness kit that can be accessed and downloaded for FREE at www.MILDOCS.org.

3. Why is financial capability important to your organization?
AMBA and its member banks agree that financial readiness = mission readiness. Military families must be ready for the challenges that the military lifestyle brings their way. Without a solid financial foundation, families may find that financial challenges can affect all aspects of their life, making it hard to focus on the military mission. AMBA and its members work every day to ensure that the military and veteran communities have access to safe, reliable, trusted financial services, products, and education.

4. This year we are celebrating #30YearsofAFC. How has the AFC® certification impacted your organization?
Our member banks recognize the tremendous value financial counselors with the AFC^® credential add to their efforts to support their customers. AMBA also understands the value that FINRA Foundation Fellows who earn their AFC^® can bring to their organizations. These financial professionals, many of whom are members of the military and veteran communities they serve, are critical contributors to their financial wellbeing.

5. How can financial professionals get involved with you?
We are working with AFCPE^® through the VBBP to provide direct-to-consumer support to Veterans. As this program continues to grow, AMBA’s relationship with AFCPE^® becomes stronger.

AMBA is committed to promoting to our member banks and partners the importance, value, and significance of the AFC^® credential. We are confident that will result in an increased demand for AFC® financial professionals.

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Welcome to the 2022 Sponsor Spotlight series! As we prepare for #AFCPE2022, November 16-18, 2022, we are excited to introduce you to a few of our incredible Sponsors! Learn more about the organizations in the Exhibit Hall next week.

1. Who are you?

Private College 529 plan is a prepaid 529 plan.  Our savings plan allows families to lock in current tuition rates, to save on future tuition, at nearly 300 private colleges and universities nationwide – all in one plan.

Plus, their prepaid tuition is guaranteed by our participating schools for up to 30 years Private College 529 Plan.

We are the prepaid tuition plan owned by the colleges in the plan, located nationwide, offering the same tax benefits as traditional 529 plans.

2. What are you looking forward to as an organization?

Last year was a big one for our organization.  For our entire history (almost 20 years), our product and brand were one in the same.

To expand our reach, broaden our appeal and educate all consumers on college planning and saving, we launched a new parent brand called CollegeWell.

CollegeWell is a single source for families to learn what they need to feel confident about their college saving journey with experts guiding the way.  We think of CollegeWell as the education and Private College 529 Plan as the solution.

3. Why is financial capability important to your organization?

For many families, having their child obtain a college education is a top priority. However, we know that too many families do not start saving early enough, don’t recognize the short time horizon associated with saving for college or feel overwhelmed with the potential cost and struggle to save anything.
Financial capability is critical to our organization because we want families to possess not only the knowledge, but also have the skills and confidence to start saving for college, start saving early and, ideally, make it a priority within their family. We also want them to know that any amount saved can help reduce future expenses (e.g., student loans) and that for most families, they don’t save the full amount.

4. This year we are celebrating #30YearsofAFC. How has the AFC® certification impacted your organization?

The AFC certification is very important for our organization.

Whether working with financial advisors, our member colleges or directly with families, having the AFC certification provides credibility to those in our organization and ensures we stay informed on topics related to financial capability.   Moreover, the continuing knowledge through AFCPE keeps us up to date on the latest data, trends, and relevant information.

5. How can financial professionals can get involved with you?

Two ways to get involved with us.

• First. If you are working with families and discussing college savings, and private college is a consideration, I would encourage you to share our plan.
• Second, as part of our new CollegeWell brand, we welcome experts to share knowledge and information with our consumers. If counselors are interested in serving as a guest expert on a blog, video, or other content collaboration, please let me know!

Stop by and visit Private College 529 Plan at their exhibit booth at #AFCPE2022!

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Welcome to the 2022 Sponsor Spotlight series! As we prepare for #AFCPE2022, November 16-18, 2022, we are excited to introduce you to a few of our incredible Sponsors! Learn more about the organizations in the Exhibit Hall next week.

1. Who are you?

Zeiders Enterprises, Inc. is a veteran-owned company providing government contracting services and human services solutions to support Military and Veteran communities. We are committed to improving the quality of life for Service members, Veterans, and their families. The work we do is directed toward enhancing the lives of individuals and strengthening the organizations they serve. With a team of over 1,500 professionals world-wide, our success is based on each individuals’ dedication to innovative solutions and creating exceptional experiences for our customers.

Zeiders understands the personal financial readiness challenges faced by individuals and families, particularly those in the Military and Veteran communities. We recognize the impacts on health, family relations, and productivity, and the critical importance of addressing root causes to set a path toward financial well-being. We are a company of people helping people, making an impact– everyday.

2. What are you looking forward to as an organization?

We are very much looking forward to leveraging our many decades of experience to reach more individuals and families in need of financial education and counseling support leading to a solid financial foundation, so they are ready for life’s unknowns. To do this, we need to engage providers, make them aware of the Zeiders mission, and encourage partnerships with us to improve the quality of life for our communities.  We are also excited to find new opportunities to help the military and veteran community.

3. Why is financial capability important to your organization?

As a Quality of Life company, Zeiders has built a foundation of providing sound and compassionate personal financial counseling to our service members and their families; over the last 5 years we supported nearly 9 million direct client contacts.  The services we provide to our country’s fighting force allow those who serve to reach and maintain financial readiness, meet security clearance requirements, and build a future for themselves that will last long after they hang up the uniform.  While our nation’s military is the first line of defense for all of us, we like to think of our financial counselors as THEIR first line of defense against financial pitfalls that anyone can easily fall into.

4. This year we are celebrating #30YearsofAFC. How has the AFC® certification impacted your organization?

The Accredited Financial Counselor certification is woven into the very fabric of Zeiders.  As an organization focused on serving the Military and Veteran communities, Zeiders has long recognized the importance of the AFC designation. The AFC is tailored made for our mission and the type of personal financial counseling and education services we provide. With a focus on the stability stage of the human condition versus the growth stage, the training helps our team assist clients and get them to a ready state and arm them with the tools needed for the future.

Zeiders is proud to have supported AFCPE since almost the very beginning, with current team members receiving the AFC designation as early as 1996.  We have over 350 AFCs proud to call our company home and many have really stood out over the years.  Members of our team have been recognized with awards in nearly every AFCPE category available from 1996 until the present day.  In fact, Zeiders team members account for a whopping 23% of all AFCPE awards since 2014 with 6 of the last 8 Financial Counselors of the Year belonging to our ranks!

5. How can financial professionals can get involved with you?

Zeiders supports Department of Defense personal financial readiness programs. We have been a trusted contractor partner for over three decades. We recognize the unique financial challenges and stressors typical to the military lifestyle and tailor financial counseling and education services to clients with a team of certified financial professionals exhibiting sensitivity, compassion, and respect for Service members and their families.

We welcome certified financial counselors to get involved with our team! All PFCs are credentialed as either an AFC®, ChFC®, or CFP®. Many of our PFCs are military affiliated and bring their vast life experiences to bear in helping clients see the big picture of their financial situation.

Zeiders opportunities for accredited financial counselors include full-time positions at military installations worldwide and on-demand opportunities to support our military family when needed. We manage a global on-demand network of certified and credentialed financial counselors who are looking to engage with the military community, combining their personal passion and expertise to make a real difference for individuals and families. Counselors can get involved in an “on call” capacity to assist primarily with short, one-to-three-day events, providing a flexible option to fit work with us around other schedules.

Join our Talent Community to receive regular updates from us on PFC topics and new job opportunities.

Reach out to us at careers@zeiders.com to discuss details on opportunities and ways to engage with Zeiders.

Stop by and visit Zeiders at their exhibit booth at #AFCPE2022!

Follow Zeiders Here:

Website: www.zeiders.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/zeidersenterprises

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/zeiders-enterprises-inc-

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Who We Are. What We Do. Why It Matters.

Change Machine builds financial security through people-powered technology. We champion the aspirations of those who are most economically disadvantaged by oppressive public policies and practices – namely Black and Brown women who navigate financial insecurity.

Since our founding in 2005, our products and practices have set the national standard for inclusive financial coaching. 6,741 practitioners across 45 states have used our platform to build their practice, connect with each other, and amplify their impact.

Our platform is a scalable solution for all social service organizations and public agencies to embed effective financial coaching practices into their work. Connect with us to learn more at partnerships@change-machine.org

What We Offer:  

Change Machine has developed the Seal of Inclusivity – a set of criteria to determine which fintech products and services appear in its financial coaching platform’s product recommendation engine. Developed with low-income individuals and nonprofit leaders at the helm, the Seal of Inclusivity guarantees that products included on the platform are safe, affordable, and effective for low-income consumers. Its design is intentionally utilitarian, offering practical support to financial coaches in their everyday work.

https://change-machine.org/partner/

https://change-machine.org/platform/ 

https://change-machine.org/current-events/category/public/ 

Follow Us Here:

Website – https://change-machine.org/ 

Twitter – @changemachineus

Thanks to our Platinum Symposium Sponsor for highlighting their partner, Change Machine.

Learn more about JPMorgan Chase’s Impact: https://www.jpmorganchase.com/impact  

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Welcome to the 2021 Sponsor Spotlight series! As we prepare for #AFCPE2021, November 15-19, 2021, we are excited to introduce you to our Sponsors and the incredible people who work for these organizations. Learn more about the organizations and the people you’ll meet in the virtual Exhibit Hall this November.

Who We Are. What We Do. Why It Matters.

Established in 2003 by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA), the FINRA Investor Education Foundation empowers underserved Americans with the knowledge, skills, and tools to make sound financial decisions throughout life.

The Foundation accomplishes this mission through educational programs and research that help consumers achieve their financial goals and that protect them in a complex and dynamic world.

FINRA is a government-authorized not-for-profit organization that oversees all securities broker-dealers in the U.S. FINRA is dedicated to investor protection and market integrity.

What We Offer:

The FINRA Foundation helps Americans build financial stability, invest for life goals and guard against fraud. The Foundation builds capacity and nurtures supportive networks that stand ready and well equipped to guide Americans through life’s financial decisions and challenges. This includes empowering fraud fighters at the community level, building the capacity of public libraries to help patrons learn about money and achieve financial goals, fostering financial wellness programs in the workplace, and strengthening the ranks of military financial educators. Moreover, the FINRA Foundation serves as a repository for data and research describing the financial capability of American households to help decision-makers and practitioners advance financial well-being in communities nationwide. Learn more about the people we help, the networks we strengthen and the knowledge we share by visiting the FINRA Foundation’s website.

• finrafoundation.org/knowledge-we-gain-share
• usfinancialcapability.org
• finra.org/investors
• finra.org/investors/military

Follow Us Here:

Website: www.finrafoundation.org/

Twitter: www.twitter.com/FINRAFOUNDATION

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/finra-investor-education-foundation/

Facebook: www.facebook.com/finrafoundation

Meet Ritta McLaughlin, Director, Investor Education, Community Outreach at FINRA Foundation

What you are most looking forward to at #AFCPE2021?

Attending the AFCPE 2021 Virtual Symposium affords those of us who share the passion for personal finance to continuing expanding our knowledge basis so that we can empower others to have financial well-being.

1. My favorite quote: “You can’t improve what you don’t measure.”

2. My hero: Every person who does the best they can do each day and who extends grace, kindness, and generosity to others.

4. My favorite personal finance resource: While I know this is totally biased, I like the resources FINRA provides especially the periodic Insights to Personal Finance Tips, Tools & Calculators, and Smart Investing Courses!
5. My best tip for attending a professional development event: Be an engaged virtual participant by asking questions. If offered by the presenters, introduce yourself in the chat.

Stop by FINRA Foundation’s virtual exhibit booth at #AFCPE2021!

The post #SponsorSpotlight: FINRA Investor Education Foundation appeared first on AFCPE.

Welcome to the 2021 Sponsor Spotlight series! As we prepare for #AFCPE2021, November 15-19, 2021, we are excited to introduce you to our Sponsors and the incredible people who work for these organizations. Learn more about the organizations and the people you’ll meet in the virtual Exhibit Hall this November.

Who We Are. What We Do. Why It Matters.

Zeiders Enterprises, Inc. is a values-based, privately held, veteran-owned government contractor providing human services solutions to support Military and Veteran communities. We deliver long-term solutions to meet the management, program, and workforce needs of our customers. We are committed to improving the quality of life for Service members, Veterans, and their families. We pride ourselves on our uncompromising commitment to providing our customers with quality products and services while meeting the highest level of ethical standards and performance in our daily operations.

Our diverse team of 1500+ professionals is located world-wide and is committed to creating exceptional experiences for the Service members, Veterans, and families we support. Many of our employees have a first-hand connection with the military community bringing a passion for service and commitment to solving issues.

Bringing together people with the passion and expertise to develop innovative solutions and deliver exceptional services to Military and Veteran communities, we are proud of our past, humbled by our chance to serve our nation, and excited about the opportunity that the future holds for our company.

Now more than ever, we need qualified, caring professionals to help families navigate financial difficulties. The work we do enhances the lives of individuals and strengthens the organizations they serve.

Zeiders is people helping people!

What We Offer:

Zeiders offers personal financial professionals the opportunity to focus on people and human wellness, not selling. We surround our team with the culture, resources, and vision to pursue their dedication to changing people’s lives.

We believe that good people provide quality service. We invest in our team with personal and professional development opportunities both in-person and online. PFC’s at Zeiders experience rewarding direct engagement with clients, ongoing professional development that provide continue education credit for certification, great benefits, and a culture of encouragement and respect.

• https://www.zeiders.com/careers/
• https://www.zeiders.com/about-us/
• https://www.zeiders.com/what-we-do/personal-financial-management/

Follow Us Here:

Website: www.zeiders.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/zeidersenterprises

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/zeiders-enterprises-inc-

Meet Dedrick Curtis, Operations Supervisor at Zeiders Enterprises, Inc.

I’m looking forward to meeting some amazing people out there helping their fellow citizens become better with personal finance every single day!

1. My why: My purpose in life is to help others become better versions of themselves. I’m fortunate enough be to be able to do that on a daily basis.
2. My favorite quote: We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit.” ~ Aristotle
3. My hero: Abraham Lincoln
4. My favorite personal finance resource: investor.gov
5. My best tip for attending a professional development event: Network, network, network. People are what make our industry work so I recommend talking with as many attendees, presenters, and exhibitors as you can.

Stop by and visit Zeiders at their virtual exhibit booth at #AFCPE2021!

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With a grant from Wells Fargo, the SIFMA Foundation for Investor Education is continuing its successful efforts to expand targeted, outreach, engagement, and support for teachers to effectively serve students from Title I schools, further engaging Wells Fargo employees in skills-based volunteer activities and enhancing the Stock Market Game (SMG) experience for students, teachers, schools, and communities.

With the need for financial capability ever increasing for students across the country, the SIFMA Foundation’s programs are proven to improve student performance in mathematics and increase students’ financial capability. The Foundation offers innovative, high-tech, project-based financial education through an evidence-based program with 40 plus years of success that annually engages 600,000 4th-12th grade students in the global economy and capital markets.

The Foundation’s mission is to foster knowledge and understanding of the financial markets for individuals of all backgrounds, with a focus on underserved youth. Drawing on the involvement and expertise of educators and the financial industry, the SIFMA Foundation provides financial education programs and tools that strengthen economic opportunity across communities and increase individuals’ access to the benefits of the global marketplace. SIFMA Foundation programs prepare students for college and careers with project-based experiences researching and analyzing technical data to make informed decisions, working in teams, negotiating, cooperating, and resolving interpersonal conflict, using the Internet to advance their knowledge and expertise, and more. The Foundation’s comprehensive portfolio of programming rounds out student’ STEM learning with English language arts, civics and career exploration.

To learn more, be sure to stop by Wells Fargo’s virtual exhibit booth at #AFCPE2021

The post #SponsorSpotlight: Wells Fargo & SIFMA Foundation appeared first on AFCPE.

Welcome to the 2021 Sponsor Spotlight series! As we prepare for #AFCPE2021, November 15-19, 2021, we are excited to introduce you to our Sponsors and the incredible people who work for these organizations. Learn more about the organizations and the people you’ll meet in the virtual Exhibit Hall this November.

Who We Are. What We Do. Why It Matters.

The Association of Military Banks of America (AMBA) is the only trade association representing banking institutions specializing in providing banking services for military personnel, veterans, and their families around the world. AMBA has a long history of partnering with the Department of Defense for the benefit of military members and their dependents. Our recent partnership with the Department of Veterans Affairs focuses on improving the financial lives of our nation’s veterans.  AMBA’s membership includes large and small national and state-chartered banks, most operating on military installations and all insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC). We represent the interests of banking institutions serving the military and veteran communities and serve as a liaison with DoD, Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS), Military Services, VA, Treasury, FDIC, Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC), Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), and its Office of Servicemember Affairs (OSA).

Our mission is to continue the close working relationship with the nation’s major banking trade associations, including the American Bankers Association and the Independent Community Bankers of America, and the federal banking regulators. AMBA sustains partnerships and relationships with many government and non-profit organizations that support military and veteran families.

AMBA member banks, who serve military and veteran families in their communities all over the world, bring exceptional financial products, services, and education to their customers. Our member banks know their customers, understand their unique military lives, and honor their military service by creating meaningful relationships and the support they need to live successful financial lives.

What We Offer:

AMBA offers digital access to the Armed Forces Financial Guide, a comprehensive financial guide specifically geared to military families, MILDOCS, a financial preparedness kit and information to organize and store financial documents and the Veterans Benefits Banking Program in partnership with the Veterans Benefits Administration.

www.MILDOCS.org

www.veteransbenefitsbanking.org

https://ambahq.org/armed-forces-financial-guide/

Follow Us Here:

AMBA Website: www.ambahq.org

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/association-of-military-banks-of-america

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MilitaryBanks

Twitter: https://twitter.com/MilitaryBanks

Meet Andia Dinesen, AFC®, Executive Vice President Communications & Operations at AMBA:

What you are most looking forward to at #AFCPE2021?
Communicating with other attendees, creating new connections, and learning about new tools and resources to add to my toolbox when I work with colleagues and my community.

1. My why: About 11 years ago I was volunteering with the Airman & Family Readiness Center, I had two young children, and an active-duty spouse who spent much of his time training or deployed. I wanted to find ways to give back to my military community. I was approached by an A&FRC staff member who mentioned a Military Spouse Fellowship to me. The fellowship was for financial counseling. I wasn’t sure it was right for me, but I had a background in Psychology, so I thought it sounded promising. The more I researched the opportunity, the more I realized this could be a great way to gain knowledge for myself and my family and have a directed approach to serving other military families. Still to this day, I am proud of the work I do to support and inform military and veteran families in personal finance, and I am still very thankful to Pat for opening my eyes to the FINRA Foundation Military Spouse Fellowship which helped me earn my AFC®!
2. My favorite quote: “Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.” – Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
3. My hero: Ted Lasso
4. My favorite personal finance resource: Vertex Excel Spreadsheets! Seriously, they are so helpful and can help get anyone moving on their own personal finance path without biased information. https://www.vertex42.com/ExcelTemplates/
5. My best tip for attending a professional development event: Try not to sit with people you already know.

The post #SponsorSpotlight: AMBA appeared first on AFCPE.

Welcome to the 2021 Sponsor Spotlight series! As we prepare for #AFCPE2021, November 15-19, 2021, we are excited to introduce you to our Sponsors and the incredible people who work for these organizations. Learn more about the organizations and the people you’ll meet in the virtual Exhibit Hall this November.

Who We Are. What We Do. Why It Matters.

America Saves empowers all, particularly those who are financially vulnerable, to save effectively in order to reduce debt and build wealth. America Saves is proud of our strategic messaging that motivates savers to take action to save successfully because we know that saving with a plan makes savers 2xs more likely to meet their goal and saving automatically using split deposit is the easiest and most efficient way to save. We offer support and resources to anyone who wants to save, and we believe our Savers can begin their saving journey with a mindset of “Start Small, Think Big.” “Thinking Like A Saver” looks different for everyone, and we celebrate those small and big wins. There should be a “no shaming” approach when it comes to encouraging people to save. All of this is important work for individuals and for our community because saving for your past (reducing debt), present (emergency fund), and future (long term savings such as retirement, education, and homeownership) is essential in creating financial stability.

What We Offer:

We offer resources to businesses and organizations who want to support their employees, constituents, or clients to save. We center our savings intervention around our Pledge to save, which empowers a person to make a savings plan. Our suite of resources and programs are free, and include Split to Save to encourage employee savings, and America Saves for Young Workers to promote savings in youth. Finally, we make it easy to support your audience to save: once they’ve taken the Pledge, they get behavioral economics-based emails and text nudges, access to our virtual town halls, and even opportunities to enter our emergency fund sweepstakes.

Check Out These Resources:

https://americasaves.org/pledge/

https://americasaves.org/resource-center/

Follow Us Here:

@AmericaSaves on Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/america-saves/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AmericaSaves

Get to know Amanda Woods, Program Coordinator at America Saves

What you are most looking forward to at #AFCPE2021?

After reading through the agenda, I’m excited about the wide variety of topics available for breakout sessions. There are several sessions that I’ll be looking forward to attending so that I can share the information and insights with my team!

1. My why: My why feels pretty simple – I try to approach my life, both personally and professionally, in ways that support community and connection. I think it’s important that we work to ensure that those around us have what they need to live happy, healthy, and fulfilled lives.
2. My favorite quote: “Ask yourself: Why am I seeing and feeling this? How am I growing? What am I learning? Remember: Every coincidence is potentially meaningful. How high your awareness level is determines how much meaning you get from your world.” -Ansel Adams
3. My hero: My mom. She was a fierce woman who lead with her heart and always compassionately yet unapologetically went after what she wanted in her life. She taught me to stand firmly in who I am, and to always be willing to lean into discomfort if there is growth on the other side.
4. My favorite personal finance resource: I have to say the America Saves pledge (you know this was coming!). I think as a resource it has the ability to ignite the honest personal conversation about where we are financially, where we want to be, and how we plan to get there. That people can take this step, setting a goal, and then be supported along the way by the America Saves nudges is truly beneficial to help them realize they’re not alone on what can sometimes be a challenging journey. I recommend this tool every chance I get (even before I joined the America Saves team!).
5. My best tip for attending a professional development event: Be as engaged as possible with all opportunities for growth, and be willing to explore insights and ideas that may be new

Be sure to stop by America Save’s virtual exhibit booth at #AFCPE2021!

The post #SponsorSpotlight: America Saves appeared first on AFCPE.

Welcome to the 2021 Sponsor Spotlight series! As we prepare for #AFCPE2021, November 15-19, 2021, we are excited to introduce you to our Sponsors and the incredible people who work for these organizations. Learn more about the organizations and the people you’ll meet in the virtual Exhibit Hall this November.

Who We Are. What We Do. Why It Matters.

At the National Endowment for Financial Education (NEFE), we champion effective financial education. We are the independent, centralizing voice providing leadership, research, and collaboration to advance financial well-being.  NEFE envisions a nation where everyone has the knowledge, confidence, and opportunity to live their best financial life.

What We Offer:

Evaluation Toolkit – Use this free tool to design simple, effective evaluations that make it easy to demonstrate learning and show the value of your personal finance curriculum.

Our Initiatives:

The Personal Finance Ecosystem – We have constructed a framework that proposes to lay out the foundations that underpin an individual’s level of financial well-being, give context to the elements that comprise and influence financial well-being, and right size expectations for what educational and behavioral influences, interventions and efforts realistically can achieve.

Financial Education Policy Convenings – In January and February of 2021, NEFE partnered with the Council for Economic Education to develop a series of five financial education policy convenings aimed to provide state policymakers an open forum in which to discuss the opportunities, technicalities, and challenges they encounter when considering financial education policy and programming. Discussion summaries from each event are posted on our website.

Our Research:

NEFE funds rigorous, innovative, and actionable research that increases the financial education community’s body of knowledge; provides insight into financial behavior; and contributes to the field’s understanding of effective educational practices.  Learn more about research funding opportunities: https://www.nefe.org/research/default.aspx

Our Milestones:

• NEFE® has achieved a significant milestone in support of financial education by surpassing $5 million in grant funding.
• NEFE® is partnering with the Higher Education Financial Wellness Alliance (HEFWA) to transfer ownership of the nationally recognized financial education resource, CashCourse.

Check out These Great Resources:

National Survey Results – NEFE commissions polls to better understand financial realities of consumers. Discover results from a variety of topics

The Latest – Get details on all the latest happenings at NEFE, including summaries from our recent research and events, editorials from our CEO and more.

Follow Us Here:

• Website URL: https://www.nefe.org/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/NEFE_ORG
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/national-endowment-for-financial-education/

Get to Know Jill N. Jones, PhD, NEFE’s Managing Director, Research

• My why: As someone more fully immersed in research day-to-day, I love the cross-section of participants at AFCPE. The robust gathering of educators, counselors, and researcher leads to nuanced and more meaningful conversation. I sometimes take for granted that not everyone is fully immersed in research and am reminded of how important it is to communicate that information to diverse audiences who engage in the financial well-being and education spaces.
• My favorite quote: A reframe of the infamous “treat others how you wish to be treated,” and instead “treat others how they wish to be treated.” I try to value the unique preferences and identities that inform individual preferences; I try to remain mindful of this since it’s easy to impose your preferences on others.
• My hero: Teachers, collectively! Teachers who were influential on my college and career path and those who work to educate the next generation.
• My favorite personal finance resource: Microsoft Excel! The reality is I love using Excel for most things, but for finances specifically, I use it to quantify longer-term financial decisions and trade-offs using formulas. For example, the trade-off in paying off education loans sooner versus increasing retirement savings during a specified interval of time given interest rates and expected returns. I’m sure there are calculators for this, but I enjoy the math that goes into this type of decision.
• My best tip for attending a professional development event: Set your intentions and know when your energy stores are running low. It is valid for both electronic and in-person professional development or conferences, even if energy depletion looks different based on the mode. Suppose I feel like information overload prevents my ability to process information. In that case, I try to determine when/where I can take a meaningful break without compromising my ability to participate based on my intentions. Scheduling these breaks in advance is also beneficial.

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