Money makes the world go around, but managing it can send your head in circles.

The Treasurer’s Office wants to set you on a steady course through our Bank At School curriculum and financial education seminars on hot topics like identity theft, credit card use and entrepreneurship. All of our resources are free and can be modified to fit your schedule and the skills of participants.

A brief description of the curriculum and our seminars are listed below. For more information or to schedule a presentation, call Financial Education at (312) 814-1700 or e-mail at financialed@treasurer.state.il.us

Bank At School (Ages 6 to 14)
Bank At School is a powerful educational program that introduces students to the world of money and banking. Through a special Bank At School lesson plan developed by the State Treasurer’s Office in cooperation with schools and financial institutions, students learn the value of money management and saving for the future. The Bank At School program correlates with fifth and sixth grade Illinois Learning Standards, but can be easily adapted for other grade levels. Teachers receive a semester-long unit guide and are required to undergo eight to 12 hours of training at a cooperating financial institution. Workbooks are provided for each student. The curriculum is available in Chinese, German, Greek, Hebrew, Italian, Lithuanian, Polish, Spanish, and Ukrainian, and has been adopted by Greece and Poland for their educational purposes.

Money, Banking, Credit (Young Adult)
This program teaches young adults the practical money and credit management skills crucial to building a solid financial base. Some of the topics covered in the seminar include: an overview of basic savings tools; how to develop a budget; how to shop for your first credit card; and how to establish credit and maintain a good credit history.

Money, Banking, Credit (Adult)
This program teaches adults practical money and credit management skills crucial to a sound financial future. Topics include how to create a spending plan and live on a reasonable budget; how to shop for a credit card; how to maintain a good credit history; your credit rights; how to obtain a copy of your credit report; credit repair; and how to set long- and short-term goals. Specifics of each class vary dependent on the financial circumstances and skills of workshop participants.

Identity Theft (All Ages)
Identity theft is one of the fastest growing white collar crimes in the nation today. This presentation includes information about the most common types of identity fraud; how to help prevent identity theft; and how to remedy the situation if one becomes a victim. It includes contact information for credit reporting bureaus.

Homeownership Training (Adult)
Have you ever wondered how a lender makes decisions? Who qualifies for credit, and why? After you apply for credit, all you can do is wait and wonder. What if you could get inside the lender's head? That might make the waiting easier. This program will focus on homeownership readiness and will share information on the basic mortgage lending process. Specific focus is paid to foreclosure prevention and strategies for avoiding predatory lenders. Upon completion of this course, individuals will be introduced to the State Treasurer’s Our Own Home program which provides a 10 percent mortgage guarantee for qualified applicants.

Business Development Training (Young Adult)
This program is designed to introduce young adults to the world of entrepreneurship. Topics include the basic concepts associated with converting a dream into a business, understanding business operations and marketing a business. Young adults will analyze case studies on existing businesses as a method for learning the excitement and challenges associated with business start up.

Business Development Training (Adult)
Starting a new business is often exciting and frightening at the same time. This program will demystify business start up and clarify many practical concerns such as location, size, employees, quality control, forms of organizations and registration. Strategies for business growth through marketing, technology and access to capital will also be covered. Upon completion of this course, individuals will be introduced to the Treasurer’s low-interest business loan programs.

Investment & Asset Protection (Young Adult & Adult)
Bull and Bear are not just animals. They are economic indicators used to describe the performance of the stock market. The Investment and Asset Protection Program is designed to introduce the science of capital and the importance of protecting assets, using insurance as a legacy builder.

Consumer Automotive Training (Young Adult & Adult)
This program will focus on budget and credit management in preparation for automotive ownership. It will explore the differences between purchasing and leasing; the importance of shopping around; and will help the participants understand all expenses associated with automotive ownership.

Smart Women Smart Money (Women)
Women handle 75 percent of the family finances and control roughly 80 percent of family purchasing decisions. The Treasurer’s Office holds annual symposiums across the state to educate women about financial management and entrepreneurship. Thanks to our corporate partners, we are able to offer these symposiums free of charge.