Financial Literacy
The Virginia Bankers Association is focused on increasing financial literacy in the Commonwealth of Virginia and has enlisted the help of Virginia banks to accomplish this goal.
The VBA's efforts include participation in community events, national events, sponsorships, and the formation of the VBA Education Foundation and the Walter Ayers Fund for Financial Education. The Fund was formed in honor of Walter Ayers’ contributions to Virginia’s banking industry during the 23 years he served as VBA’s chief executive, and in recognition of his long-term commitment to economic education. The objective of the foundation is to recognize the importance of economic education and financial literacy and the banking industry’s key role in these areas.
Each year the VBA encourages Virginia bankers to participate in two American Bankers Association sponsored events—Teach Children to Save Day and Get Smart About Credit Day. On these days bankers visit classrooms and youth groups in their local communities to help promote and teach financial topics with the idea that together, bankers and teachers can make a difference in the financial future of today’s youth.
The VBA also launced a financial literacy website for consumers at www.financeinfocenter.com. The site contains helpful tips, things to consider and the appropriate government contacts on topics such as identity theft, credit scores, check fraud, and lending abuse. The Foundation developed a series of brochures to accompany the website that can be placed in bank branch lobbies. The site and the brochures are available in both English and Spanish.
For more information on the VBA's financial literacy efforts, contact Tom Garner or Courtney Fleming.