Treasury's Go Direct Program Links up with FDIC's `Money Smart' Effort

WASHINGTON - For many people, switching to direct deposit can be an important step toward achieving control over their money. With that in mind, the U.S. Department of the Treasury said it will partner its Go Direct campaign with the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. to raise financial education awareness during April, which is Financial Literacy Month, and beyond. Beginning in April, Go Direct and the FDIC will work together to make the FDIC's Money Smart program - an education program to help adults enhance their money skills and create positive banking relationships - available to community-based organizations interested in hosting financial literacy workshops and programs throughout the United States. Representatives from the FDIC's six regional offices will partner with the Go Direct campaign to disseminate the Money Smart curriculum at local workshops In addition to FDIC's Money Smart materials, the Go Direct campaign is providing financial literacy materials highlighting the benefits of direct deposit, including slides that can be incorporated into existing financial literacy curriculums. The Treasury, Federal Reserve Banks, and partners, including CUNA, kicked off the direct deposit campaign with an event in Washington in September. CUNA said it supports the program, in part, because direct deposit can eliminate the risk of stolen checks and forgeries, and help protect people from identity theft.