Washington State Department of Financial Institutions

News Release

Friday, February 19, 2010

Contact

Lyn Peters, Director of Communications
PH (360) 902-8731, Cell 360.349.8501, lyn.peters@dfi.wa.gov

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

"Washington Saves Week" Starts Sunday - DFI Joins WA Jump$tart Coalition In Asking Residents "Are You Saving?"

Washington joins national campaign in encouraging residents to increase personal savings.

OLYMPIA – The Washington State Department of Financial Institutions is working with the Washington Jump$tart Coalition to promote Washington Saves Week as part of the national America Saves Week campaign.

Organizations throughout our state are coordinating Saves Week activities aimed at changing behavior change among individuals and families. Last year’s campaign resulted in nearly 20,000 people opened or added to savings products, saving $47 million.

Understanding that having an emergency savings, retirement funds and being able to manage one’s debt are crucial to Washington residents’ personal financial security, Governor Chris Gregoire has proclaimed Feb. 21-28, 2010 Washington Saves Week.

“Part of carrying out DFI’s mission — “Regulating financial services to protect and educate the public and promote economic vitality” — includes helping consumers get the information and financial education they need to make sound financial decisions,” DFI Director Scott Jarvis said. “Encouraging participation in Saves Week is an important component of that financial education.”

We invite all Washington residents to participate in Saves Week, Feb. 21-28, 2010 by visiting www.americasaves.org and enrolling to be an American Saver and by attending a Washington Saves Week event in your area.

A few events planned for the 2010 Washington Saves Week include:

For details on more Washington Saves Week events, visit the Washington Saves calendar online at www.dfi.wa.gov/financial-education/wa-saves/events.htm.

A few ways your organization can get involved include:

To learn more about the campaign and register, visit the national Web site www.americasavesweek.org or Washington Saves Week at www.dfi.wa.gov/financial-education/wa-saves/default.htm.

If you would like a presenter to come to your site, DFI and/or Washington Jump$tart member organizations can assist with finding a speaker. Send a request to lyn.peters@dfi.wa.gov, wajumpstart@gmail.com or contact Amy O’Donnell for more information at aodonnell@wscpa.org.

Together we can show our support and commitment to helping our community members “Start Small, Think Big” and “Build Wealth, Not Debt.”

About DFI
www.dfi.wa.gov ▪ 360.902.8700 ▪ 877.RINGDFI (746.4334)
The Washington State Department of Financial Institutions regulates a variety of financial service providers such as banks, credit unions, mortgage brokers, consumer loan companies, payday lenders and securities brokers and dealers. The department also works to improve financial education throughout Washington through its outreach programs and online clearinghouse www.dfi.wa.gov/financial-education. In addition to posting information about licensees and administrative actions, DFI uses the Web and social media to provide financial education information:
www.twitter.com/FinEd4All ▪ www.twitter.com/DFIConsumers ▪ finlit.blogspot.com ▪ www.youtube.com/user/WADFI ▪ www.homeownership.wa.gov

About America Saves
www.americasaves.org ▪ information@americasaves.org ▪ 202-387-6121
America Saves is a nationwide campaign in which a broad coalition of nonprofit, corporate, and government groups helps individuals and families save and build wealth. Through information, advice, and encouragement, we assist those who wish to pay down debt, build an emergency fund, save for a home, save for an education, or save for retirement.

About Jump$tart Washington
www.wajumpstart.org ▪ wajumpstart@gmail.com
Jump$tart Washington is a nonprofit coalition created to promote the need for financial education in Washington State. In 2009, we provided teacher training seminars, special events for students and succeeded in reaching thousands of consumers throughout the state. Our members include individuals, public and private organizations, educators, and non-profit associations – each passionate about making change and advancing our goal to:

Jump$tart Washington Vision Statement
Financial empowerment for Washington residents.

Jump$tart Washington Mission Statement
Jump$tart Washington promotes the development of personal finance skills of Washington residents, with emphasis on education for K-college youth.

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