The FDIC has released a new self-paced interactive computer-based-instruction
(CBI) version of Money Smart in English and Spanish, which is
available on CD-ROM and accessible through the FDIC's Web site at www.fdic.gov.
Money Smart is a financial education curriculum designed to help
low- and moderate-income adults understand the basics of banking, with
modules on topics such as bank services, credit, budgeting, savings, credit
cards, loans and homeownership. The program can be taught in its entirety,
or specific modules can fill in the gaps in other financial education
programs. The FDIC offers this educational tool free to banks and others
interested in sponsoring financial education workshops.
The new self-paced interactive CBI version of Money Smart contains
the same ten modules as the original Money Smart, which was
designed to be used in a classroom setting. The interactive CBI version can
be used to complement formal classes, serve as a refresher course, or be
used in independent study.
Prompted by an animated guide, the Money Smart interactive CBI
allows students to have a "virtual experience" in such activities as
entering a bank and interacting with employees, using an ATM, writing checks
and balancing a check book, and reading a credit report. Students receive
ongoing feedback and, upon successful completion of each module, can print
out a personalized certificate for that module.
The Money Smart interactive CBI is available in two formats: as a
CD-ROM and on the FDIC's Web site. The version on the Web site has been
modified slightly so that it can be accessed by almost any computer without
danger of "freezing" it.
To order copies of Money Smart or the Money Smart
interactive CBI, go to: www.fdic.gov/consumers/consumer/moneysmart/order.html.
The Web version of the Money Smart interactive CBI can be accessed
at: http://www.fdic.gov/consumers/consumer/moneysmart/mscbi/mscbi.html.
The Web version requires the following:
- One of the standard versions of Windows-Windows 95/98/ME/NT/2000/XP.
- Access to the Internet at 56kb or faster.
- Internet Explorer (version 5.0 or higher) or Netscape (version 4.04 or
higher).
- Standard speakers or headphones and a sound card are recommended.
The original instructor version of Money Smart on CD-ROM is still
available in English, Spanish, Chinese, Korean and Vietnamese and can be
ordered through the FDIC's Web site.
Additional information about Money Smart may be found on the
Internet at www.fdic.gov/consumers/consumer/moneysmart/index.html
or by contacting one of the Community Affairs Officers responsible for your
region on the attached list.
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Michael J.
Zamorski
Director
Division of Supervision and Consumer Protection
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