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**[America Saves Week Talking Points]{.underline}**

America Saves is a national social marketing campaign that encourages
individuals, particularly low and moderate income persons, to save
money, reduce debt and build wealth.

Launched in 2001 with one city, Cleveland, Ohio, America Saves has now
53 local, state and national campaigns: Examples include Philadelphia
Saves, Utah Saves, San Diego Saves, NY State Saves, Texas Saves, Kansas
City Saves, Milwaukee Saves, Miami Saves, Tennessee Saves, Silicon
Valley -- South Bay Saves, Military Saves, Youth Saves, Black America
Saves, Hispanic Saves, and America Saves through Homeownership.

Currently more than 61,000 Savers: top Savings Goals are

-   Emergency Fund

-   Savings & Investment

-   Homeownership

-   Retirement Savings

  --------------- -------- -------- -------- --------- --------- --------- ------------ -------- ----------- -----
  ** **           **\$1 to **\$26   **\$51   **\$76 to **\$101   **\$201   **\$501      **#Per   **Average   
                  \$25**   to       to       \$100**   to        to        to\$1000**   Goal**   \$**        
                           \$50**   \$75**             \$200**   \$500**                                     

  Emergency Fund  4565     2925     246      0         762       450       54           9002     \$68        

  Savings/        3704     1923     135      1070      603       486       63           7984     \$74        
  investment                                                                                                 

                                                                                                             

  Homeownership   3077     1824     230      1437      59        686       95           7408     \$93        
  --------------- -------- -------- -------- --------- --------- --------- ------------ -------- ----------- -----

America Saves has been congratulated by Federal Reserve Chairman Ben
Bernanke upon reaching 50,000 Savers.

America Saves has over 500 financial institutions both banks and credit
unions providing no or low fee, low opening balance savings accounts
that allow small savers to achieve success.

More than 1,000 non profit organizations, companies, government
agencies, educational institutions, religious institutions, and unions
are involved.

America Saves Week, February 25 -- March 4, 2007, is a new and expanded
effort aimed at reaching more institutions and individuals to increase
awareness on the need to save money, reduce debt and build wealth with a
primary focus on Financial Action -- commitments to save, invest and
build wealth.

National partners include: Department of Defense, IRS, Federal Reserve
Bank, Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service
(CSREES), USDA, and participating land-grant university Extension
Services, National Foundation for Credit Counseling, United Way of
America, National Black Caucus of States Institute, Corporation for
Enterprise Development, Annie E. Casey Foundation, Family, Career and
Community Leaders of America (FCCLA), and National Community Tax
Coalition.

Any and all organizations, institutions and companies are encouraged to
identify goals that are measurable and can demonstrate impact. These
will be compiled on an annual basis, proclaimed and announced, and then
measured every year to determine impact and progress. These goals can
include for example a financial institution announcing a goal of opening
1,000 new savings accounts targeted to branches in low and moderate
income neighborhoods; employers announcing a goal of increasing employee
participation into a 401k program by 2%; a religious institution
announcing that every congregant will have by one year a minimum of
\$500 in a savings account for emergencies; a non profit organization
announcing that 100 people will be saving towards homeownership and
reach their goal within two years; a school system that announces 75% of
all their middle and high school students will open a savings account
and have a minimum of \$25 deposited within 6 months..

These numbers will be tallied and announced in aggregate both locally
and part of the national America Saves Week impact report.

> **[ORGANIZING BENEFITS]{.underline}**

***America Saves Week* *February 25 -- March 4, 2007***

-   Building local partnerships and networks related to financial
    education

-   Increased visibility through local media

-   State and national collection and aggregation of evaluation data

-   Marketing and expansion of existing financial education programs

-   Flexibility to develop programs for local needs and cultural
    relevancy

-   User-friendly materials and administrative support from the Consumer
    Federation of America

-   An opportunity to highlight annual financial accomplishments

**How To:**

**Send Notification Letter**

Send notification letter to decision makers at potential and current
partner organizations asking for participation, support endorsement

**Distribute Resource --**

Community wide distribution---posters, flyers, newsletter inserts, press
release/story (those campaigns that have identified a media partner for
America Saves Week, utilize that partnership.)

Organizational distribution---site visits with decision makers,
distribution of activities material and secure participation.

**Develop FI Promotion-**

With bank and credit union partners encourage promotion through:
statement stuffer, teller info, posters, IRS split refund two pager,
press releases, incorporate Week into their brand ads.

**Promote Split Refund**

Take advantage of existing partnerships to promote refund split.
paycheck stuffers, payroll provider's participation,

**Press Event Announcing National** **Partnership**

January press event to announce partnership with Washington event and
local events.

**Saver Week Press Event**

A second press event during America Saves Week to recognize
participation and celebrate success to date.

**AS Week Timeline Grid**

**[Before During After]{.underline}**

Promotion: fliers, fact sheet, Issue press release. Continue regular

announcements, presentations .. Announce completed program activity and

Engage and enroll current or to be completed enroll savers.

program participants as savers. activity. Participate in evaluation.

Identify and develop Hold event with partner.

partnerships with bank or

credit union.

# Level 1

> Dec Jan Feb March April

-   Promotion
    \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\--

-   Fliers, announcements, presentations ...

-   Identify/develop
    \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\--

> Financial institution partner

-   Identify activities \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\--

-   Enroll Savers
    \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\--

-   Press release/announcement
    \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\--

-   Evaluation \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\--

-   Press release/announcement \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\--

Level 2

Nov Dec Jan Feb March April

-   Promotion
    \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\--

-   Identify/develop

-   Partners
    \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\--

-   Identify/develop
    \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\--Financial
    institution partners

-   Plan activities
    \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\--

-   Develop master activity list \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\--

-   Enroll savers
    \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\--

-   Press release/announcements \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\--

-   Post event \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\--

-   Evaluation \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\--

-   Press release/announcements \-\-\-\-\-\-\--

Level 3

Sept. Oct. Nov. Dec. Jan. Feb. Mrch. April

-   Identify/develop partners
    \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\--

-   Planning
    \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\--

-   Activities defined \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\--

-   Promotion
    \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\--

-   Master activity list defined \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\--

-   Enroll savers
    \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\--

-   Press release/announcements \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\--

-   Post event \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\--

-   Evaluation \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\--

-   Press release/announcements

-   

-   

-   

-   \-\-\-\-\--

**SAMPLE LETTER TO INVITE ORGANIZATION AND LEADERSHIP PARTICPATION**

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**SAMPLE...SAMPLE...SAMPLE....SAMPLE....SAMPLE....SAMPLE....SAMPLE**

Dear

Currently, the national savings rate is 0%, something that has not
occurred since the Great Depression. A recent study, commissioned by
Consumer Credit Counseling Service, revealed that overall consumer debt
has increased by 38% for households at all income levels over the last
year. Delaware Valley households are taking on more debt and saving less
than ever before.

To combat these startling statistics, Philadelphia Saves, is organizing
our first annual event -- ***Philadelphia Saves Week***, February 25 --
March 4, 2007.

Philadelphia Saves, a local offshoot of the America Saves campaign, has
made significant progress in the last three years, helping over 2,600
Philadelphians save money and build wealth. By becoming Philadelphia
Savers, these individuals have committed to saving over 3.7 million
dollars toward a specific financial goal.

Federal Reserve Chairman Bernake has encouraged all America Saves
campaigns to expand efforts and combat the low savings rate.
***Philadelphia Saves Week*** will focus on promoting savings and
motivating individuals, particularly those in low-moderate income
households, to take FINANCIAL ACTION.

The goal of ***Philadelphia Saves Week*** is to generate targeted
activities from a variety of organizations across the region resulting
in behavior change among individuals and families. We ask that you
participate in this campaign in one or more of the following ways:

1.  Demonstrate support through a written endorsement

2.  Promote Philadelphia Saves Week and encourage participation from
    other organizations and institutions

3.  Participate by engaging your organization in one or more of the
    activities outlined in the attached "Suggested Activities List"

Through educational events, contests and other fun activities, you can
join other local financial institutions, non-profits, corporations,
government agencies and the media in showing your support and commitment
to wealth building. However, one of the great things about the Week
model is that activities can occur before, during, or after the Week,
and still have the results (or projected results) announced at
high-profile media events.

The attached fax reply describes the various opportunities for your
organization to participate. Please look it over and reply by
\_\_\_\_\_. Also enclosed is a fact sheet on both America and
Philadelphia Saves campaigns. We look forward to your support and
participation.

Sincerely,

> National Partners:
>
> Consumer Federation of America, Cooperative State Research, Education,
> and Extension Service (CSREES), USDA, and participating land-grant
> university Extension Services, United Way of America, Department of
> Defense, the Internal Revenue Service, National Foundation for Credit
> Counseling, Federal Reserve Bank, National Black Caucus of States
> Institute, Corporation for Enterprise Development, National Community
> Tax Coalition, Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA)
> and
>
> **SAMPLE PROCLOMATION**

2007 AMERICA *(or community or organization name)* SAVES WEEK

BY *(TITLE OF OFFICIAL MAKING PROCLAMATION)*

A PROCLAMATION

**WHEREAS,** personal and household savings is fundamental to America's
*(or community or organization)* stability and vitality; and

**WHEREAS,** adequate emergency savings, retirement funds, and safe
debt-income ratios are critical components of personal financial
security; and

**WHEREAS,** America Saves is a national social marketing campaign to
persuade, encourage, and motivate Americans to take financial action in
building wealth through saving money and reducing debt;

**WHEREAS,** *(name of organization or community)* is a partner in the
America Saves campaign and is committed to helping its *(members,
citizens, clients, customers, and/or employees)* take immediate
financial action to Build Wealth, Not Debt;

**NOW, THEREFORE,** *(I, Name, Title, or name of governing body)*
do/does hereby proclaim the February 25 -- March 4, 2007 as

**AMERICA *(or community or organization name)* SAVES WEEK**

**AND DO DECLARE *(statement of ASW related goal)***

***I/WE* HEREBY** call upon all *(members, citizens, clients, customers,
and/or employees)* to *(increase 401k contributions, start or increase
an emergency fund, challenge employees or customers to save, or other
goal related action)* or take another positive wealth-building action
during AMERICA *(or community or organization name)* SAVES WEEK, and
pledge to sustain that action during the following year.

**IN WITNESS WHEREOF**, *I/we* have hereunto set *my/our hand(s)* this
*(date)* day of *(month), 2006/07*.

*(Signature/s)*

**MEMORANDUM**

To: America Saves Coordinators

From: George Barany and Steve Brobeck

Re: Ideas for America Saves Week press release

\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

We suggest you consider including the following elements in press
releases that announce your local/regional Saves Week:

1.  Date and major events: Week selected (probably February 25 to March
    4 in 2007). Major events scheduled for that week, especially those
    to which the public is invited.

2.  Expected local impacts: Savers reached, dollars saved, institutions
    affected. And give examples \-- e.g., x bank has set a goal of
    opening up 200 savings accounts for low-income households, y
    employer has set a goal of enrolling 100 new employees in its 401k
    retirement plan, z nonprofit has set a goal of persuading 150 of
    those it serves to roll their loose change and deposit it in
    savings.

3.  Local participants: Institutional leaders, the broad range of
    participating institutions, and the number of these institutions.

> Relation to America Saves Week and America Saves: x Saves Week is part
> of a larger nationwide America Saves Week that includes local,
> regional, and national organizations. Local Saves weeks are being
> organized in \... (to be filled in). National partners include
> Consumer Federation of America, Cooperative State Research, Education,
> and Extension Service (CSREES), USDA, and participating land-grant
> university Extension Services, United Way of America, Department of
> Defense, IRS, Federal Reserve Bank, National Foundation for Credit
> Counseling, National Black Caucus of States Institute, Corporation for
> Enterprise Development, Annie E. Casey Foundation, Family, Career and
> Community Leaders of America (FCCLA), and National Community Tax
> Coalition\.... (list others).
>
> America Saves is a five-year old effort to encourage non-saving
> Americans to save through a social marketing approach. About 1,000
> organizations in some 50 local areas participate, and these
> organizations have encouraged and assisted hundreds of thousands of
> savers, especially the some 60,000 who have enrolled as American
> Savers.

4.  National Savings Needs: Most Americans do not have adequate savings
    to meet major emergencies, let alone accumulate enough savings for
    retirement. The typical American household has less than \$100,000
    in net wealth, including home equity and 401k accumulations, and
    only about \$10,000 in net financial assets. Lower income families
    have much fewer resources. The fact that the national savings rate
    is negative, while the prices of homes and securities are basically
    stagnant, suggests, in terms of household savings, we are moving
    backwards.

5.  Include a quote or two or three, in part to recognize key leaders of
    the Saves Week.

**Suggested Activity List for America Saves Week**

**[Employers]{.underline}**

-   Distribute Saves fliers and brochures

-   Display Saves posters

-   Send one or more stock emails regarding Saves Week

-   Place Saves Week article(s) in internal newsletter

-   Enclose a Saves flier as a payroll stuffer

-   Place a notice of and information about Saves Week on internal
    computer system

-   Place a link to Saves on company website or internal network

-   Increase 401k participation and contributions through one or more
    motivational workshops

-   Provide access to no fee savings accounts through Saves enrollment
    -- presentation(s), motivational workshop(s), and or topic
    seminar(s) i.e. EITC, Homeownership; Auto Purchase ...

-   Host an event featuring Saves and 401k provider, Bank for products
    and services

**[Financial institutions]{.underline}**

-   Target a number of new savings accounts to be opened

-   Target a number of new savings accounts to be opened specifically
    for LMI

-   Target a number of low cost CD's to be opened

-   Target a number of Savings Bonds Series I to be sold

-   Distribute Saves Week fliers at branches

-   Make available Saves Week fliers at teller windows

-   Make available Saves brochures and enrollment forms at Teller
    windows

-   Host motivational workshops with partner organizations such as
    schools, non profits or at a library

-   Enclose Saves Week brochure, flier in statement envelopes

-   Feature Saves Week on website

-   Put a link on website to Saves

-   Utilize Saves Week as part of Bank at Work presentations

-   Target a number of Bank at Work presentations as part of Saves Week

-   Send a number of bank staff into schools to provide financial
    education and Saves enrollment as part of the week

-   Feature Saves Week in advertising campaign

-   Hold a press event promoting Saves Week and the commitment of
    targeted numbers

**[Non Profit Organizations]{.underline}**

-   Distribute Saves Week fliers, brochure and/or posters

-   Place Saves Week article in newsletter and/or community newspaper

-   Host motivational workshops for clients, constituents, members

-   Declare a goal of new savings accounts opened, dollars to be saved,
    homes to be purchased, new business to be opened, students to attend
    college

-   Host EITC workshops

-   Establish VITA sites

-   Organize local Money Fairs at the public library

**[Religious Institutions]{.underline}**

-   Distribute Saves Week fliers, brochures and display posters

-   Place Saves Week article in newsletter/bulletin(s)

-   Place Saves Week flier in the weekly bulletin for one month prior

-   Host motivational workshop(s), presentation(s), topic seminar(s)

-   Preach a sermon relative to Saves Week

-   Declare a goal that every congregant enroll as a Saver, and/or open
    a savings account, and/or have at the end of one year \$500 -
    \$1,000 in a savings account, and/or open an IRA, and/or ..

-   Organize with other congregations a Money Fair

**[Political Leaders]{.underline}**

-   Proclamations

-   Public endorsements

-   Mailings encouraging others to be involved

-   Hosting an event/rally for Savings

-   Encouraging government employees to participate and enroll

-   Issuing press releases and conducting interviews

**[Educational Institutions]{.underline}**

-   Distribute Saves fliers and brochures to students and employees

-   Display Saves posters

-   Send one or more stock emails regarding Saves Week to students and
    employees

-   Place Saves Week article(s) in employees newsletter and school
    newspaper

-   Enclose a Saves flier as a payroll stuffer

-   Place a notice of and information about Saves Week on internal
    computer system

-   Place a link to Saves on school website and internal network

-   Increase deferred compensation participation and contributions
    through one or more motivational workshops

-   Provide access to no fee savings accounts through Saves enrollment
    -- presentation(s), motivational workshop(s), and or topic
    seminar(s) i.e. EITC, Homeownership; Auto Purchase ...

-   Host an event featuring Saves and Deferred Compensation provider,
    Bank for products and services

**[Libraries]{.underline}**

-   Distribute Saves fliers and brochures to patrons and employees

-   Display Saves posters

-   Set up display/area for reading/research and web access to Saving,
    Debt reduction and Wealth building

-   Host Motivational Workshops and Topic Seminars for Patrons and
    employees

-   Encourage enrollment as a Saver at check out and information desks

-   Hold contests/activities targeted to youth on Saving and Wealth
    Building

-   Send one or more stock emails regarding Saves Week to employees

-   Place Saves Week article(s) in employees newsletter and patron news

-   Enclose a Saves flier as a payroll stuffer

-   Place a notice of and information about Saves Week on internal
    computer system

-   Place a link to Cleveland Saves on website and internal network

-   Increase deferred compensation participation and contributions
    through one or more motivational workshops

-   Provide access to no fee savings accounts through Saves enrollment
    -- presentation(s), motivational workshop(s), and or topic
    seminar(s) i.e. EITC, Homeownership; Auto Purchase ...

-   Host an event featuring Saves and Deferred Compensation provider,
    Bank for products and services