ALEXANDRIA, Va., -- On March 4, expert panels met to discuss thebest ways to provide financial education to African-Americancommunities.

Director Tawana James and Adrienne Munroe of NCUA's Office ofSmall Credit Union Initiatives joined with other federal agencyrepresentatives for the roundtable that was the third in a seriesof four discussions being held as part of the Financial Literacyand Education Commission's implementation of the National Strategyfor Financial Literacy.

Deputy Assistant Secretary for Financial Education DanIannicola, Jr. moderated the panels.

"I am pleased that Ms. Munroe was able to update those attendingthis important discussion on NCUA and credit union's significantefforts to enhance financial education throughout the county,including many outreach efforts in African-American communities,"NCUA Chairman JoAnn Johnson.

Munroe summarized NCUA's Financial Literacy and Educationprograms, pointing out that both NCUA and credit unions havehistorically been devoted to bringing financial services to thosewith limited access to the financial mainstream.

Munroe also described how NCUA's Access Across AmericaInitiative provides a forum for credit unions to network andreceive training on financial education initiatives, and providedexamples of credit unions' efforts to deliver financial educationand homeownership training.

Munroe highlighted OSCUI programs that offer credit unionsindividual assistance, partnerships, and workshops. She alsomentioned OSCUI financial assistance programs, and how they haveallowed credit unions to fund financial education initiatives intheir communities.

[email protected]