Tag Archives: financial education

Business

BancVue’s Moneyisland Wins Eifle Award for instructional Game of the year

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BancVue launched MoneyIsland in March 2011 as a customized, online financial literacy solution for community financial institutions.

Austin, TX, April 24, 2012 – BancVue, the leading provider of innovative products, dynamic marketing, and data-driven consulting solutions to community financial institutions around the country, today announced its MoneyIsland™ product has won an Excellence In Financial Literacy Education™ (EIFLE) award for instructional game of the year, electronic.

The Institute for Financial Literacy (www.FinancialLit.org), a nonprofit 501(c)(3) tax exempt organization whose mission is to promote effective financial education and counseling, presented the EIFLE awards at the Annual Conference on Financial Education in Orlando, Florida.

BancVue launched MoneyIsland in March 2011 as a customized, online financial literacy solution for community financial institutions. A one-of-a-kind educational tool geared to ‘tweens’ age 8 to 14, MoneyIsland’s built-in curriculum addresses three key financial categories: Saving and Spending, Earning and Investing, and Using Credit Wisely.

MoneyIsland has been very successful since it’s introduction to the marketplace, and is currently offered by 97 community banks and credit unions across the U.S. and Guam.

According to Gabe Krajicek, Chief Executive Officer of BancVue, community financial institutions providing MoneyIsland to account holders, local schools, and non-profit organizations not only fulfill responsibilities of the Community Reinvestment Act, they help build a better future for America’s youth.

“MoneyIsland is clearly a compelling value proposition for our community banking partners and for their account holders,” said Krajicek. “We’re honored that The Institute for Financial Literacy has recognized the program and included us among the leaders in the field of financial literacy education.”

The EIFLE awards were created by The Institute for Financial Literacy six years ago as a way to acknowledge innovation, dedication, and a strong commitment to financial literacy education. The awards promote the effective delivery of consumer financial products, services, and education by acknowledging the accomplishments of those that advance financial literacy education.

“We’ve learned that the best way to get financial literacy programs like MoneyIsland into schools and in front of kids is through community banks and credit unions,” says Felix Brandon Lloyd, a former Washington, D.C. Teacher of the Year, creator of MoneyIsland, and BancVue’s Chief Professor. “It’s exciting to think how many children around the country will gain access to much-needed financial education through BancVue’s extensive network of clients.”

MoneyIsland is just one of the game-changing innovations BancVue has brought to community financial institutions. With offerings including Kasasa®, a national brand of superior products, and Kasasa 360®, a recently-introduced online money management platform that helps drive revenues and cross-sell opportunities, BancVue is empowering its network of over 5,000 branches nationwide compete and win against the megabanks.

About BancVue
BancVue is the leading provider of innovative products, world-class marketing, and data-driven consulting solutions to community financial institutions across the U.S. Featuring offerings like Kasasa®, a dynamic suite of banking solutions that make a difference with innovative accounts and money management tools, BancVue products are designed to deliver controlled new account growth, higher profitability, and increased customer retention. For more information, visit www.bancvue.com.

Contact:
Katie Weathers
CSG PR
3225 East 2nd Avenue
Denver, CO 80206
(404) 791-8245
kweathers@csg-pr.com
http://www.csg-pr.com

Financial

Sharon Lechter, Co-Author of Best-selling Rich Dad Series Serves as Keynote Speaker During Uganda’s 6th Annual Financial Literacy Week

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International best-selling author, entrepreneur, advocate and speaker, Sharon Lechter, will serve as a keynote speaker for the Sixth annual Financial Literacy Week in Kampala, Uganda, to be held from September 28th through October 1st, 2011.

Scottsdale, AZ, Thursday – September 22, 2011 — International best-selling author, entrepreneur, advocate and speaker, Sharon Lechter, will serve as a keynote speaker for the Sixth annual Financial Literacy Week in Kampala, Uganda, to be held from September 28th through October 1st, 2011.

A passionate advocate of financial education, Lechter has focused her efforts on developing tools to inspire families and children to create security and build wealth. As founder of Pay Yourself First, LLC, ( http://payyourfamilyfirst.com ) and co-founder and former CEO of the Rich Dad Company, Lechter’s earned continued acclaim for her work. She co-authored the popular Rich Dad Poor Dad series; and most recently, in conjunction with the Napoleon Hill Foundation, released two new books in the Think and Grow Rich series: Three Feet from Gold and Outwitting the Devil.

Uganda’s Financial Literacy Week is an annual event tasked with creating public awareness regarding finances. The mission includes promoting financial discipline such as saving and investing. The ultimate goal is to eradicate the cycle of poverty, ensuring sustainable intergenerational wealth and financial freedom.

“It doesn’t matter what language they speak, or what currency they use, parents everywhere want their children to succeed. The need for financial literacy is a global issue and I applaud Uganda for leading the charge in providing financial education to its young people. It is an honor and a privilege to participate in the Sixth Annual Financial Literacy Week,” said Lechter.

This year organizers plan to target a variety of public service professionals including teachers, nurses, students, uniformed officers, and women groups, and will conclude with a breakfast Saturday for business leaders and diplomats.

Martin D. Muhwezi, Managing Director of the Investors Club, LTD. in Kampala, said, “Financial Literacy is the ability to make informed judgments and effective decisions regarding the use and management of money. It is a life skill that every income earner or potential income earner needs to achieve their financial goals, and live a financially comfortable life.”

Welcoming Lechter with enthusiasm, Muhwezi said, “We plan to launch Financial Literacy clubs in high schools here in Uganda next year, and want to partner with Sharon to donate materials we can use to teach African youth and children the principles of money management.”

Lechter will share the podium with her husband, Michael Lechter, a leading intellectual property U.S. attorney, certified licensing professional and university professor and best-selling author, who served as an advisor to the original Rich Dad series.

Formerly a partner in the international law firm of Squire, Sanders & Dempsey, LLP, Michael is an Adjunct Professor at Arizona State University, and a lecturer at Thunderbird School of Global Management. Together with Sharon, the two own a number of small businesses, including the acclaimed Cherry Creek Lodge ( http://cherrycreeklodge.com ).

Upon return from Uganda, Lechter will continue to dedicate herself to promoting the message of empowered personal success outlined in, Outwitting the Devil.

Press & Media Contact:
Scott Kelly
Black Dog Promotions
9920 S. Rural Rd., Ste 108
Tempe AZ, 85284 – USA
480-206-3435
scott@blackdogpromotions.com
http://www.blackdogpromotions.com
http://cherrycreeklodge.com
http://payyourfamilyfirst.com

Entertainment

Best Selling Author Sharon Lechter and Pay Your Family First Retain Black Dog Promotions

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Black Dog Promotions announced that it is now representing best selling author Sharon Lechter and her financial education organization

Paradise Valley/Phoenix, AZ, Tuesday – August 23, 2011 — Black Dog Promotions ( http://www.blackdogpromotions.com ) announced that it is now representing best selling author Sharon Lechter and her financial education organization, Pay Your Family First as publicist, booking agent and marketing consultant.

Sharon Lechter is the co-author of the national bestseller Three Feet From Gold, international bestseller Rich Dad Poor Dad and over 14 other Rich Dad books. Lechter recently annotated the never before published, Outwitting The Devil by legendary author Napoleon Hill.

Lechter said of her recent work, “Outwitting the Devil’s message has never been more applicable than it is today. Given the roller coaster ride of the recent stock market and the high level of unemployment we are experiencing, this is a must read for anyone seeking answers. In this profound message, Hill shares exactly how you can conquer your fear, create the future you want and achieve great success!”

Pay Your Family First, founded by Lechter, empowers kids and their families with the confidence to understand and tackle the complexities of fiscal responsibility while building stronger communities and a wealthier future. PYFF uses a number of tools to fulfill their mission including their award winning board game, ThriveTime For Teens.

Black Dog Founder, Scott Kelly commented, “We are thrilled and humbled to be working with Sharon and her outstanding organization. For a generation she has provided encouragement and empowerment and her current book and organization provide valuable tools and lessons for generations to come.”

Visit payyourfamilyfirst.com to learn more about Sharon, ThriveTime For Kids and Outwitting The Devil.

About Black Dog Promotions:
Black Dog Promotions builds “Buzz”. They use their blend of publicity, viral marketing and social media to generate massive exposure for companies, websites, causes or events. They have a broad network of media contacts and social media connections that generate broad based exposure. Details on the company’s services can be found at http://www.blackdogpromotions.com

Press & Media Contact:
Scott Kelly
Black Dog Promotions
Tempe, AZ 85284
480-206-3435
scott@blackdogpromotions.com
http://www.blackdogpromotions.com

Accounting, Financial, Government, Internet & Online, Non-Profit, Society

New Report Describes Poor Quality Tax Preparation In New Mexico

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LONGMONT, Colorado (May 6, 2011) – Between February 1 and April 18, 2011, First Nations Development Institute conducted 12 “mystery shopper” tests of paid tax preparers in New Mexico. These mystery shopper tests were conducted in communities with a high Native American population and close to Indian reservations. First Nations visited tax preparer sites in Gallup, Grants, Bernalillo, Farmington, and Albuquerque, New Mexico. The goal of the work was to assess the quality of tax preparation services and to test the hypothesis that the tax preparation firms are steering people toward expensive products, such as Refund Anticipation Loans or Refund Anticipation Checks.

This research uncovered several problems with inaccurate, unethical, or unprofessional behavior on the part of tax preparers. “In our small sample of mystery shoppers, it was shocking what we uncovered,” stated Shawn Spruce, a financial education consultant for First Nations. Spruce also shared,“Unfortunately, the companies that our mystery shoppers visited did a poor job preparing even basic tax returns and could have exposed them to serious tax liability. In general, we were startled by the low quality service and the fact that two of these companies automatically signed our shoppers up for expensive Refund Anticipation Checks, even though they could have directly deposited their tax returns into their own bank accounts.”

Michael E. Roberts, president of First Nations Development Institute, stressed the importance of conducting the mystery shopper tests and resulting research on tax preparers.

“This research reinforces what other studies have found,” stated Roberts. “There is a great need for better regulation of tax preparers so that low-income people can hold on to their hard earned tax refunds and avoid expensive and predatory products like Refund Anticipation Checks. It is unfortunate that tax time serves as an opportunity to exploit Native American taxpayers through high fees and unnecessary products that take money out of taxpayers’ pockets.”

On May 4, 2011, Spruce presented the findings in Tax Time Troubles, a First Nations Development Institute report that provides details about predatory, unprofessional, and inaccurate tax preparation firms serving often low income communities in New Mexico. Spruce was the evening keynote speaker at the Effective Asset Building Strategies in New Mexico conference being held at the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center in Albuquerque, New Mexico. This conference was sponsored by Prosperity Works, a nonprofit organization that works to reduce the impact of predatory lending and whose mission is to ensure that every New Mexican has the opportunity, knowledge and relationships to achieve economic prosperity.

For more information about the research report Tax Time Troubles, visit First Nations Development Institute’s website at www.firstnations.org.

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CONTACT:
Sarah Dewees, Senior Director of Research, Policy, and Asset-Building Programs
First Nations Development Institute
2217 Princess Anne Street, Suite 111-1
Fredericksburg, VA 22401
Tel/540.371.5615
Fax/888.371.3686
sdewees@firstnations.org

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