CUNA Personal Finance Initiative

2008 Parents and Money Survey

The views, behavior, and knowledge of spending, saving, borrowing, and earning money of American teenagers between the ages of 13-18, as seen through the eyes of their parents. (The Charles Schwab Corp.)

document Consumer Research

How much risk is acceptable?

"The financial crisis has sparked proposals to reform the retirement income system. One component of such a system could be a new tier of retirement accounts." (Center for Retirement Research, 2008)

document Research

A Look at the Financial State of Gen X and Gen Y

"Fewer than one in ten are highly satisfied with their current financial situations; even fewer feel they are financially secure." A new study from the American Savings Education Council and AARP.

document Survey Report

Still Working Hard, Still Falling Short

Statistics on low income, working families, including state-by-state data. (Working Poor Families Project, 2008)

document Research

What is Debt Stress Doing to Your Members?

Sure, your credit union is taking a beating during the Great Credit Crunch of 2008. But consider what economic uncertainty is doing to your members...

document Study

Strategic Plans for Financial Literacy

How well do credit unions incorporate financial literacy into their strategic plans, mission statements, and staff performance standards?

document CUNA Survey Part VI

What Keeps Credit Unions from Teaching Money Skills

Credit union operating margins are shrinking, so it is not surprising that many say they have neither the time nor the money to provide this service to members.

document CUNA Survey Part V

The Spectrum of Credit Union Financial Literacy Programs

Credit unions are known for providing financial literacy programs for their members, but do you serve your entire membership or are you ignoring important market segments?

document CUNA Survey Part IV

Members' Need for Financial Education

From new immigrants to dual-income households, from the uneducated to the well educated, the need for help in managing finances is never ending.

document CUNA Survey Part III

How Much Are Credit Unions Spending On Financial Education?

Credit unions are spending more on youth and adult financial education than they were two years ago, but is it enough?  One of two credit unions say no, and plan to spend more.

document CUNA Survey Part II

Financial Education: Do Credit Unions Practice What They Preach?

Are credit unions stepping up to the challenge of providing financial education to their members at all age levels, from cradle to grave?

document CUNA Survey Part I

Long-Term Financial Literacy Plan

Steps to empower members, from CUNA\\\'s Financial Literacy Task Force.

document Recommendations

Jumpstart Seeks Input on Biennial Survey

The Jumptart Coalition requests input about its biennial survey of high school and college students by January 13, 2009. Review the document below and comment online.

discussion Survey Background

Thrift Widget

What if your budget actively nudged you toward smarter spending? (Read how at CUNA's financial literacy web site. Registration is free.)

discussion Online Dialogue

Warm and Fuzzy Moment - from a Savings Challenge

Danielle Chatfield-Beres of MidState Educators Credit Union shares a member's success story from her credit union's 6-month Savings Challenge. (Read the tale at CUNA's financial literacy web site. Registration is free.)

discussion Online Dialogue

CREDIT UNION FEDERAL INSURANCE COVERAGE

OCT 1, 2008--New legislation to be considered by the U.S. Senate tonight (and later by the House) will increase the level of federal insurance for credit union savings to $250,000.

posting Press Release

Who's asking for financial literacy? Kids? Adults? Not enough...

In the decade since it first became a national issue, financial literacy hasn't improved much. There's a huge supply of educational materials for all ages, but very little demand...(Register/log in--no charge)

discussion Online Dialogue

State of Financial Literacy

CUNA's Statement to the President’s Advisory Council on Financial Literacy.

document Comment

The Great Seduction

David Brooks says, "the most rampant decadence today is financial decadence, the trampling of decent norms about how to use and harness money." (NY Times)

document Opinion

Use of the Internet for professional purposes

Should sites such as MySpace, You Tube be accessible to you at work for professional use? (Requires free registration.)

discussion Network Discussion

This could be the start of something big...

I have high hopes for CUNA’s Personal Finance Initiative.

document Network Blog

What Does It Mean to Be Financially Literate?

Sure, you’ll know it when you see it, but that doesn’t mean it’s not worth trying to define.  (Requires free registration.)

discussion Network Discussion

America's Credit Unions: Financial Fitness Champions

Educating consumers will make them better members while making your credit union stronger.

document Financial Fitness

Report what you are doing

The President's Identity Theft Task Force Report

The President's Task Force on Identity Theft was established by Executive Order 13402 on May 10, 2006. President Bush called for a coordinated approach among government agencies to combat this crime. Here are the task force's recommendations.

document Recommendations

Hispanic Quick-Start KitTM

Serving the Hispanic market is consistent with credit union philosophy and consistent with good business practices.  Here's a step-by-step guide.

document Resource

Champions of Financial Literacy

A strategic plan to empower members, from the CUNA Financial Literacy Task Force.

document CUNA Report

2008 GAC Financial Literacy Breakout Session

PowerPoint from CUNA's Financial Literacy Task Force panel that spotlighted noteworthy examples of current credit union financial literacy efforts at this year's Governmental Affairs Conference. (large file)

posting Best Practices

Confronting the Debt Culture

The swift growth and spread of the “anti-thrifts” has led to a two-tier institutional system that splits the country into an "investor class" and a "lottery class." (Report to the Nation from the Commission on Thrift)

document Report

Treasury Announces Community Financial Access Pilot

The Community Financial Access Pilot (CFAP) is an initiative of the U.S. Department of Treasury's Office of Financial Education, endorsed by the President's Advisory Council on Financial Literacy, designed to increase access to financial services and fi

document Government Initiative

FDIC Statement on Financial Literacy and Education

Robert W. Mooney: “I also will touch on a number of specific programs undertaken by the FDIC aimed at improving financial literacy and enabling individuals and families to build wealth.”

document Hearing Testimony

The Cure For the Common Consumer

Your members and the public at large are exposed every day to predatory lending. Consider this an opportunity.

document Opinion

2007 Louise Herring Award Winners

Three credit unions demonstrating credit union philosophy by educating members are featured at CUNA’s 2007 Governmental Affairs Conference.

award Recognition Program

TJX Breach Implications Widespread

One year after the largest credit and debit card data breach in history, credit unions lead in offering protection to members.

document News

"Only Credit Unions Were Born to Champion This Cause"

Guiding principles plus goals and objectives from CUNA's  2006 Financial Literacy Summit.

document Report

Fend Off Foreclosures, The Credit Union Way

Member education can forestall foreclosures and recapture mortgage loans.

document Financial Fitness

resources for youth resources for adults resources for the underserved