Press Releases

For Immediate Release
April 07, 2003	Contact: Cheryl Weiss (608) 264-7868

Governor Proclaims April as Saving and Investing Month

(Madison) Governor Jim Doyle has proclaimed the month of April as "Saving and Investing Month" in the State of Wisconsin. The Saving and Investing campaign is part of a national financial education effort to help raise the financial IQs of citizens and protect them from the growing problem of financial fraud.

"We recognize April as Saving and Investing Month, but saving and investing is something that needs to be done year-round," Governor Doyle said. "Every day, consumers are faced with decisions on how and what to spend their money on. Being informed on how to save and invest is important."

The month-long financial education campaign is a joint effort of state and federal government agencies and private sector organizations. The Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions (DFI) will be highlighting the campaign in Wisconsin by sponsoring a variety of events geared to both young and old to promote saving and investing.

"Understanding the importance of saving and investing is a key building block toward being financially successful in today's market," said DFI Acting Secretary Patricia Struck. "This campaign is meant to encourage Americans of all ages and incomes to build financial skills and to 'get the facts' they need to save and invest wisely."

Tomorrow, the Governor will sign four proclamations relating to financial education, declaring April as Saving and Investing Month, April 10 as National Teach Children to Save Day, and the week of April 13-19 as National Credit Union Youth Week and as National Credit Education Week.

The Department of Financial Institutions also offers a week-long class for teachers called Saving, Investing & Insurance Week. This year's class is scheduled for July 21-25 in Milwaukee and is part of the Wisconsin Institute of Financial and Economic Education. The program has been expanded from two to five days to provide more in-depth coverage of key topics. Teachers will receive registration forms for this event in the mail shortly.

For more information on "DFI, Your Money Matters" or Savings and Investing Month visit their Website at: www.wdfi.org