PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Statistics show that women tend to lagbehind men when it comes to managing money, but Greylock FederalCredit Union and Berkshire Community College are looking to closethe gap.

The two have partnered to present a six-week series for womenattending the college who are seeking to improve their financialmanagement skills. Women will hear about a number of timely topicsincluding tracking spending and creating a budget, determiningwhich financial products are the best ones for their needs, debtmanagement, renting versus buying a home, knowing what a creditscore means and planning for retirement. The sessions kicked offOct. 4 and will run through Nov. 8.

Marilyn Sperling, senior vice president of member services at$852 million Greylock, said the partnership with BCC is an idealfit with the credit union's community mission.

“We have a mission of building up the communities we serve andof helping all people in Berkshire County achieve their financialdreams,” Sperling said. “All consumers face challenges of increasedexpenses and a competitive job market, and women in particular toooften lack the financial knowledge and confidence to make goodfinancial decisions.”

Beth Wallace, BCC assistant director of student life, said thecollege's female population comprises 63% of BCC's studentpopulation and that statistic prompted the development of theseries.

“These women come to us from a variety of economic backgroundsand face significant challenges in balancing family schedules,limited incomes, and increasing expenses for day care and utilitycosts,” Wallace said. “They attend BCC in order to expand theirknowledge base and improve their own lives, but too often they lackthe practical money management skills they need to meet theirgoals.”

Sperling will present two sessions on debt management andrenting versus buying a home. Greylock FCU is also in the processof solidifying a partnership with the Brigham Center to improvefinancial literacy in area high schools, Sperling said.

Wallace said data show 90% of women become wholly responsiblefor their finances at some point in their lifetime, yet women lagfar behind men when it comes to financial planning and investing.–[email protected]