The $1.4 billion Summit Credit Union is one of the sponsors of an upcoming forum that will explore why consumers makes choices they later regret and put their families at financial risk.

The Family Financial Security Symposium will target research into consumer behaviors across several areas including economics, finance, psychology, sociology, law, public policy, and human development. Four panels-on banking choices, credit use, retirement saving, and thrift and debt-will present research papers. Participants will explore how programs, policies, and products can best support family financial security based on the findings presented.

"Positive financial decision-making is shaped by many factors," said J. Michael Collins, assistant professor of consumer science and faculty director of the University of Wisconsin-Madison's Center for Financial Security. "Better understanding these influences helps researchers, business practitioners, and policymakers create an environment that enables and encourages responsible decision making."

The symposium will take place April 19-20 at UW-Madison. In addition to Summit CU, it is co-sponsored by the School of Human Ecology's Center for Financial Literacy, American Family Insurance, CBM Credit Education Foundation and the School of Human Ecology's Ruth S. Dickie Fund.