tailieunhanh - CULTIVATING COMMUNITY-BASED FINANCIAL LITERACY INITIATIVES

The Bank assumes that the four types of capital it identifies are substitutable, in other words that the economy is a self-sufficient system, rather than a subsystem of a finite ecosystem, dependent upon the latter for inputs, sinks and life-support functions. The “weak sustainability” approach which forms the basis of genuine savings calculations assumes that there are no ecological limits, only moments when the economy may stumble a little before adapting (for example by inventing new technologies or finding new raw materials) without critical damage occuring. The alternative, widely-held view, that physical thresholds to economic and human development are. | O Comptroller of the Currency Administrator of National Banks US Department of the Treasury Community Developments Spring 2009 Investments A Look Inside . Barry Wides Deputy Comptroller for Community Affairs Office of the Comptroller of the Currency OCC Today s dynamic and complex financial markets demand that consumers be effective money managers. Especially at risk are unbanked and underserved consumers who may be unfamiliar with the fundamentals of personal financial management. Many of these consumers may be unaware of the value of saving through bank accounts or may not have the money management skills needed to prepare for unexpected life events or to accumulate assets and build long-term wealth. This edition of Community Developments Investments highlights roles that banks can play through their participation in financial literacy initiatives. The articles describe the following four national initiatives that encourage banks and their community partners to help consumers use their money wisely and better protect their assets Bank On Cities America Saves Operation Hope and the Department of the Treasury s Community Financial Access Pilot. These programs target the unbanked and underserved markets by increasing consumer awareness of available appropriate and safe financial products. Each program stresses money management second-chance banking opportunities and the importance of saving before spending. Through these programs mainstream financial institutions can build bridges between themselves and unbanked and underserved consumers. To encourage banks to participate these programs offer support to financial institutions that reach out to these customers. Banks can also earn positive Community Reinvestment Act CRA consideration for a range of financial literacy initiatives serving low- and moderateincome populations see CRA Consideration for Financial Literacy Initiatives on page 16 . Evidence suggests that these types of programs can be successful in helping .