The National Urban League’s financial education programs provide information on how to save and invest wisely, understand personal credit, build wealth, and avoid excessive debt. Today, Americans face high levels of consumer debt, low savings rates, and growing bankruptcy rates, particularly in urban areas.
These problems have raised concerns among policymakers and community leaders about the inadequacy of financial literacy among the U.S. population, particularly low-income and young people, and the impact of this lack of financial literacy on the ability of Americans to manage their finances, accumulate wealth, and build assets. Compounding this issue is the growing reliance of American consumers on non-mainstream financial services (such as pay-day lenders and check cashers), which is resulting in the proliferation of predatory lenders and other high-risk institutions in low-income communities.
Financial education programs are essential to help people develop positive savings habits and accumulate assets to put them on a pathway to financial stability. To this end, the National Urban League has partnered with prominent financial institutions such as Citigroup, Chrysler Financial, and Freddie Mac to create and expand a curriculum that empowers consumers of all ages to attain financial literacy. Urban League affiliates offer instruction including:
- Introduction to financial services
- Basic banking
- Money management and investing
- Establishing, maintaining and repairing credit
- Goal setting, budgeting and financial planning
- Understanding and avoiding predatory and subprime lending
- Becoming a homeowner and preserving homeownership
Here’s how to find financial education workshops, classes, and one-on-one counseling at an Urban League affiliate near you.
