News Release

CHICAGO — The Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago, along with more than 200 partner organizations, will kick-off the seventh-annual Chicago Money Smart Week with a breakfast event at 8 a.m. Monday, April 21 at bank headquarters, 230 S. LaSalle Street. Money Smart Week runs through April 26. Members of the media are invited to attend. Please RSVP before Thursday, April 17 to Laura LaBarbera, (312) 322-2387.

Coordinated by the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago and its partner organizations, Money Smart Week educates consumers about money management and generates awareness of financial education programs. Approximately 300 free classes, seminars and activities will be offered during Money Smart Week on topics such as budgeting and saving, using credit wisely, and financial education for children and teens.

The week will commence with the breakfast featuring welcoming remarks by Chicago Fed President Charles Evans and City of Chicago Treasurer Stephanie Neely. In addition, the breakfast will feature:

• A Financial Literacy Summit moderated by financial expert and best-selling author Jean Chatzky, including a taped welcome by Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke and presentations by U.S. Treasurer Anna Escobedo Cabral; Chris Gardener, Pursuit of Happyness author; and others.
• Announcement of the "Money Smart Kid" — the winner of a junior high school essay contest intended to promote financial literacy among young people.
• Announcement of the prominent Chicago buildings that will be illuminated green — the color of money — during Money Smart Week to raise awareness of the importance of financial literacy.
• Appearance by "Ben Franklin" explaining the importance of financial education.
  
  

Classes and seminars during Money Smart Week will be carried out by more than 200 local community groups, financial institutions, not-for profit organizations, businesses, schools, libraries, local and national government agencies, and media personalities.

"Money Smart Week continues to provide many different opportunities for people to learn about managing their personal finances," Chicago Fed President Charles Evans said. "This year's calendar features numerous diverse events for a broad range of consumers. During this week, attendees will have many chances to learn where good personal finance information is available."

A sampling of classes includes:

• "Financial Planning for Military" Seminar
• "Mortgages, What You Need to Know"
• "Educating Teens about Money and Credit"

A complete calendar of events for this year's Money Smart Week is available on the Chicago Fed's Web site at moneysmartweek.org.