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!

The post #AFCPE2022 Sponsor Spotlight: Advantage Publications 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?

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.

The post #AFCPE2022 Sponsor Spotlight: AMBA 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 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!

The post #AFCPE2022 Sponsor Spotlight: Private College 529 Plan 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 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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