News

March 16, 2022

Better Community Neighborhoods, Inc. to Host Financial Confidence Online Series April 2-30

According to a 2018 Financial Industry Regulatory Authority study, nearly two thirds of Americans were unable to pass a basic financial literacy test. The study, which surveyed more than 27,000 Americans, also revealed a growing financial literacy gap between different ethnic groups with white and asian adults showing more proficiency than black and Hispanic survey respondents when it comes to making financially responsible decisions.

To provide a financial education platform for low- to moderate-income families, Better Community Neighborhoods, Inc., a Schenectady-based non-profit housing organization that provides assistance to first-time homeowners through financial literacy programs and homebuyer education, will host a five-week Financial Confidence Online Series during April, which is Financial Literacy Month. The sessions, which run from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on April 2, 9, 16, 23, 30, will focus on how to budget, how to save an emergency fund, how to pay down debt, how to set financial goals, and how to improve your credit. Guest lecturers will participate.

“Through this series, we hope to deliver a combination of knowledge, skills and access to resources that can help consumers change their behaviors to build financial confidence,” said Jennica Huff, CEO, Better Community Neighborhoods, Inc. “Elements of the program will include financial education, access to financial products/services and individual relationship building.”

“Being financially literate eases life’s burdens,” added John Buhrmaster, president/CEO of 1st National Bank of Scotia, whose team will discuss financial products and services, mobile banking, online banking, checking vs. savings accounts and managing debt. “Consumers are now having to make sense of more complex financial products and options, as well as shoulder more of their investment decisions. Improvements in financial literacy will greatly impact their ability to provide for their future.”

For more information and register, call BCNI at (518) 372-7616 or visit https://bit.ly/35R5TeN There is a $75 registration fee per family.