The choices young adults make with their first credit card will impact their lives years later when they apply for a car loan or even a mortgage. Our goal is to raise awareness about the responsible use of credit so teens and young adults can build a positive payment history – not end up in bankruptcy court.

New Credit Education Resource
The ABA Education Foundation (ABAEF) recently introduced its new “Get Smart about Credit Education Kit,” which can serve as the basis for your activities during this day.

The resource kit includes:
• An introductory video
• New section addressing Identity Theft and its prevention
• New activities, handouts, and lessons on credit and debit payment options
• Road-tested, educator-approved lessons on choosing credit, the credit resume, and more
• Credit and checking accounts booklets
• Pre- and post-test
• Participant evaluation forms
• Communications aids

For a limited time, the kit sells for $70 for ABA members and $140 for nonmembers. For more information about the new kit or Get Smart about Credit Day, contact Kathryn Kelly by calling 1-800-BANKERS or visit the ABA web site, www.aba.com, and click on the Consumer Connection in the navigation bar on the left of the page.

Get Smart about Credit Award
The Tennessee Bankers Association presents an award to the one bank in the state with the most presentations and contacts associated with this initiative. The award is presented at the Young Bankers Division Leadership Convention, held in April each year.

Get Smart About Credit Day is sponsored by the Tennessee Bankers Association and the American Bankers Association Education Foundation, a nonprofit committed to developing and providing education programs that lead to financial literacy. Classroom materials support national curriculum standards established by the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics, the National Council of Teachers of English and the Family and Consumer Sciences.

“Teaching young people how best to use credit will equip them to handle adult financial responsibilities,” said ABA president and CEO Ed Yingling. “We encourage bankers in communities across the nation to volunteer with us to teach youth valuable financial lessons on Get Smart About Credit Day.”

Be sure to report the activities your bank is planning to the TBA by October 5, 2006. We will contact the media about Credit Day activities. Click Here to download the Participation Form.

It is also important to register your activities with teh ABAEF for special recognition in their publications and website.

For more information about participating in Get Smart About Credit Day, please contact Monique Jenkins in the TBA office at 615-244-4871.

Get Smart About Credit Information Sheet
Get Smart About Credit Kit Contents
Get Smart About Credit Kit Order Form

The ABA Education Foundation has announced a promotion for Get Smart about Credit Day. Bankers who sign up on the ABA website and report their GSAC plans will be entered in a weekly “Get Credit” drawing to win recognition for their good work.

Each week from August 30 through October 11, ABA’s Get Smart about Credit web site will highlight the positive contribution a bank will make to its community on GSAC Day. A grand-prize winner will be featured in ABA Bankers News and highlighted on aba.com.

To sign up, visit the Consumer Connection page on aba.com and complete the entry form on the Get Smart about Credit page. The earlier you enter, the more chances to win!