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disb

Department of Insurance, Securities and Banking

April is Financial Literacy Month

In celebration of April as Financial Literacy Month, the Bowser Administration, through the District of Columbia Department of Insurance, Securities and Banking (DISB), will offer free educational resources and services for District residents and small business owners.

DISB will share financial education, tips and information during Financial Literacy Month via social media under the themes listed below. Subscribe here to get updates from DISB. Also, you can follow DISB on Twitter: @DCDISB and @BankonDC , Instagram: @disb_dc and @ LinkedIn: here. Like DISB on Facebook and watch consumer education videos at disb.dc.gov/page/videos and listen to podcasts at http://disb.dc.gov/service/podcasts

  • Week 1: Planting Seeds of Wealth: Financial Planning Basics
  • Week 2: Growing Wealth: Developing Your Assets
  • Week 3: Nurturing Wealth: Protecting Your Assets
  • Week 4: Propagating Wealth: Making Wealth Generational

Upcoming Events:

For more DISB events and details, visit disb.dc.gov/events

Mayor Bowser’s vision for inclusive prosperity and financial empowerment will be celebrated throughout April, offering Washingtonians opportunities to learn about the basics of financial planning, developing assets, protecting assets, and making wealth generational.

DISB offers free educational resources to help District residents establish and maintain healthy financial habits:

  • Financially Fit DC is an initiative designed to strengthen the financial stability of individuals, families and the District community. The program helps residents identify short-term needs, make a budget and set plans to reach long-term goals through a personalized roadmap.

  • The Student Loan Ombudsman helps families and prospective students identify alternate resources of funding and minimize student loan debt. Also, the Ombudsman can show college graduates how to understand loan repayment options and identify debt relief programs and resolve complaints.

  •  The Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) is a special tax break tailored for low- and moderate-income workers. To be eligible, individuals must have earned income or certain disability income. The Department supports the District’s EITC campaign through a contract with Capital Area Asset Builders. See free tax preparation services to find locations near you.

  • The Opportunity Accounts Program (OAP) is a matched savings program that helps qualified District residents potentially save up to $7,500. The program rewards savers by providing matching funds; in some instances, the program can match $4 for every $1 a resident saves. The saved funds can be used for a variety of purposes such as continuing education, first-time home purchases, small business development and even emergency medical needs. This program is supported by the Department and administered by the Capital Area Asset Builders. Since the 2020 inception of the Opportunity Accounts Program, 598 participants have benefited from the program—saving a total of $697,421 that was matched by $2,475,843

  • DC BizCAP facilitates access to capital for District entrepreneurs and small businesses and helps create sustainable economic development. It provides alternatives to traditional commercial financing to facilitate private lending and investments in District small businesses.

  • The Bank on DC program provides mainstream access to financial services, products and financial education to unbanked and under-banked households in the District. The program partners with banks and credit unions to offer bank accounts that have low minimum balance requirements and no or low-cost monthly fees.

  • A library of Consumer Alerts and Consumer Guides are available with information to help consumers avoid being a victim of fraud or unfair and fraudulent business practices. The alerts and guides also include helpful information on insurance, mortgages and investing.

  • The Foreclosure Prevention and Mediation program provides resources to help District residents avoid foreclosure, including foreclosure mediation, housing counseling and legal aid for homeowners.
     

Videos:

  • Week 1: Planting Seeds of Wealth: Financial Planning Basics Video
      Watch Video

  • Week 2: Growing Wealth: Developing Your Assets
      Watch Video

  • Week 3: Nurturing Wealth: Protecting Your Assets
      Watch Video

  • Week 4: Propagating Wealth: Making Wealth Generational
      Watch Video