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Chairman Johnson to deliver remarks at Midwest Regional Conference in Chicago, Illinois on May 1

April 21, 2006, Alexandria, VA – National Credit Union Administration (NCUA) Chairman JoAnn Johnson will deliver remarks in Chicago, Illinois on May 1 at the Midwest Regional Conference on Reaching Unbanked People, an event organized in conjunction with the recent launch of The National Strategy for Financial Literacy adapted by the Financial Literacy and Education Commission.

Chairman Johnson will join officials from the government and private sector to discuss innovative ways financial institutions can reach the underserved. The conference will also feature expert panelists and will provide a forum for participants to discuss critical aspects of financial literacy issues.

 Featured speakers include:

• Anna Escobedo Cabral- Treasurer of the United States
• The Honorable Judy Biggert, U.S. House of Representatives
• Chairman JoAnn Johnson- National Credit Union Administration
• Dan Iannicola, Jr., U.S. Department of Treasury
• Bert Otto- Office of the Comptroller of the Currency.

“I am honored to participate in this important Conference,” said Chairman Johnson.  It will not only provide education and insight into reaching the underserved, but will also give an opportunity to highlight the unique role that credit unions are playing in emphasizing the importance of financial literacy to their members.”

The one day Conference is free and lunch is included. Credit union officials in the region are encouraged to attend.  For questions and to R.S.V.P., please contact Louisa Quittman, Department of Treasury at: Louisa.Quittman@do.treas.gov or (202) 622-8103.

The May 1 Conference is the third financial literacy event Chairman Johnson has attended since she joined Treasury Secretary John Snow on April 4 in Washington, D.C. to launch the National Strategy for Financial Literacy. The National Strategy is a blueprint for improving Americans’ understanding of issues like homeownership, credit management and retirement savings.

On April 13 in Madison, Wisconsin, Chairman Johnson joined Treasury Deputy Assistant Secretary for Financial Education Dan Iannicola, Jr., to discuss the details of the new national financial literacy strategy before a group of credit unions and financial literacy partners.
“I commend the Financial Literacy and Education Commission for adopting the National Strategy.” said Chairman Johnson. “Without the proper tools of financial education, Americans are facing a steep climb to achieving their financial goals. I encourage all credit unions to continue serving as a reliable financial partner by taking every opportunity to educate their members.”

Chairman Johnson serves on the Financial Literacy and Education Commission headed by the Treasury Department and comprised of 20 federal agencies. The Commission was created by Congress in 2003 to establish a national strategy for financial education. The Commission introduced the website (www.MyMoney.gov) and toll-free hotline (1-888-My Money) in 2004, which highlights federal resources on a wide range of personal finance topics.

The National Credit Union Administration is the independent federal agency that charters and supervises federal credit unions. NCUA, with the backing of the full faith and credit of the U.S. government, operates the National Credit Union Share Insurance Fund (NCUSIF), insuring the savings of nearly 85 million account holders in all federal credit unions and many state-chartered credit unions. NCUA operations are funded by credit unions, not tax dollars.