The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) supports National Financial Capability Month in April, and encourages national banks and federal savings associations (collectively, banks) to support this annual commemoration by recommitting their focus on improving the financial capability and financial health of their customers.
Banks can promote financial capability through high-quality financial literacy education, as well as through improved access to financial services for all consumers, especially those who are underserved.
“National Financial Capability Month allows us to reaffirm our commitment to empower individuals and communities with tools and knowledge to achieve financial well-being,” said Acting Comptroller of the Currency Michael J. Hsu. “Activities that promote financial capability are important to helping consumers make informed choices across a range of areas, including avoiding fraud and scams and planning for the future.”
The OCC is dedicated to making resources available to help banks deliver top-tier financial literacy education and services. The OCC’s Community Affairs office issues publications and provides resources to banks on financial capability and financial literacy topics including the recently updated Community Developments Fact Sheet on Financial Capability, the quarterly Financial Literacy Update and the Financial Literacy Resource Directory. The OCC also has Community Affairs Officers across the nation to assist banks in providing financial literacy education to their customers and in providing other services across their communities. These officers can explain how banks can support National Financial Capability Month and how banks can find ways to expand access to financial literacy education, credit, and capital in their communities.