Financial Literacy
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Date
2008-03
Authors
Mitchell, Ramona
University of Oregon. Dept. of Planning, Public Policy and Management
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Department of Planning, Public Policy & Management, University of Oregon
Abstract
The financial decisions of individual citizens impact our nation's economic health. Therefore, the knowledge and competence of individuals as it relates to personal financial decisions is important. The rate of personal savings in the United States has steadily declined since 1982 and at times been negative. Simultaneously, consumer credit has been continuously increasing, on average 5% per year over the last five years. In December 2003, Congress enacted The Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act of 2003 to promote financial literacy and education of persons in the United States. Finacial literacy is receiving more political attention following the sub-prime housing crisis of 2007. With increasingly complex financial products available today it is crucial that individuals possess basic financial knowledge of banking and finance to reduce their vulnerability and susceptibility to predatory practices.
This project seeks to identify framework components of an effective fundamental financial education program to meet the needs of low-income and minority populations living in the Eugene/Springfield Metropolitan area of Oregon. Additionally, this paper explores governmental policy in the area of financial literacy, local public high school courses offerings in personal finance, and the availability and accessibility of financial education programs to the target population.
Description
Examining committee:
Michael Hibbard, chair
Keywords
Finance -- Study and teaching, Financial literacy