Washington Financial Education Network Update

Thursday, Jan. 28, 10-11:30 a.m. FDIC will host "Increasing Account Access Through College Savings Programs in the State of Washington."  Target audience: Banks (Retail Banking Administrators, Chief Operations Officers, CEOs, CRA Officer and Compliance Officers) plus asset building coalitions, financial coaches/counselors, educators, school administrators, public/private service providers and CBOs. Call to Action: Increase the use of insured deposit accounts among LMI and minority youth as a means to encourage savings and the use of mainstream financial services.  Increase the number of banks providing low cost accounts for LMI families to assist with household financial well-being. Registration - Increasing Accounts through College Savings Programs in the State of Washington

How much to you know about Washington College Savings Plans? Have you visited the WA529 Knowledge Café? They offer regular webinars and “Meet-Up for Questions” virtual events  every Monday. The dates/times are the links to register. The site is updated monthly when we have new dates and topics.

Taking the First Step

5 Reasons to Open a 529 Account

Learn the key benefits of 529 plans and how they complement other ways of saving to help families diversify their savings efforts. 

Spotlight on Grandparents 

Tips and Tools for Grandparents and Other Family Members

Many grandparents, uncles, aunts and even friends want to help a young student in their lives to be ready for their future - but they aren't sure how to begin. If that sounds like you - this webinar is a must-see. 

WA529 Meet-Up for Questions

No time for a full webinar, but you have questions to ask?

Join us in a meet-up and get answers. Topics for Q & A and discussion include 529 basics, accessing your 529 funds, understanding 529 plans and financial aid, 529 tax benefits and much more.  Meet-ups will be open for one hour. 

Spokane Neighborhood Action Partners (SNAP) want to make sure Spokane County homeowners know they are ready to help with homeownership, foreclosure prevention and forbearance questions/concerns. For Mortgage Assistance call 509-319-3040 or email housing@snapwa.org. For Utility, Energy and Internet Assistance call 509-319-3010 or email eaprefer@snapwa.org SNAP Website: https://www.snapwa.org/. If you have clients or know someone in the Spokane County area (not a City of Spokane resident) struggling with their mortgage, please have them contact SNAP. More information is available at I need to prevent a foreclosure – SNAP (snapwa.org)

This is by no means a comprehensive list of what partners are doing, but a taste. We encourage all Washington State financial education partners to submit their webinars, workshops, and presentations for inclusion on the Statewide Financial Education Class Calendar - it's simple, just fill in the form at Add A Class to the Calendar (wa.gov). It's fast, free, and accessible to anyone visiting the DFI site!

My goal for 2021 is to send out at least one WFEN email a month. Please help me with that goal by sending me what you'd like to see the next month.

Please be safe, stay well, and be sure to seek out moments of joy in this new year!


Washington Department of Financial Institutions
"Leading the way in consumer protection and financial services regulation.”
P.O. Box 41200 / Olympia, WA 98504 P: 360-902-8731 / C: 360-349-8501 / Fax: 360.596.3842 lyn.peters@dfi.wa.gov / www.dfi.wa.gov En Español at 1.888.976.4422


www.dfi.wa.gov/financial-education / www.twitter.com/FinEd4All / www.twitter.com/DFIConsumers / http://www.dfi.wa.gov/financial-education/blog / www.youtube.com/user/WADFI / www.homeownership.wa.gov

CHA Washington