April is Financial Literacy Month
Governor Mark Dayton has declared the month of April as Financial Literacy Month in Minnesota. Financial Literacy Month in Minnesota is an effort of the Minnesota Interagency Work Group on Financial Literacy in partnership with various non-profit organizations, local governments, private enterprises and financial institutions to empower Minnesotans from all walks of life to achieve financial success and security.
Outreach events planned for the month of April are listed on the Deparment of Commerce's web site.
MDHR Featured Events for Financial Literacy Month
Virtual Town Hall on Predatory Lending
As Part of Financial Literacy Month in Minnesota, MDHR and CTV North have produced a program titled, "On the Margins: People and Communities Locked Out of the American Dream." The program consists of two half-hour shows the first on predatory loans, redlining and other discriminatory financial practices, and the second offering information and resources on financial literary for the general public, with an emphasis on underserved communities.
Watch On the Margins on the MDHR You Tube channel.
Panelists: Show 1, first half hour
- Commissioner Mike Rothman, Minnesota Department of Commerce
- Commissioner Kevin Lindsey, Minnesota Department of Human Rights
- Commissioner Mary Tingerthal, Minnesota Department of Housing Finance
- Ron Elwood, Supervising Attorney, Legal Services Advocacy Project, Mid-Minnesota Legal Aid
Panelists: Show 2, second half hour
- Commissioner Mike Rothman, Minnesota Department of Commerce
- Commissioner Kevin Lindsey, Minnesota Department of Human Rights
- Ruby Lee, President of CLUES, Comunidades Latinas Unidas En Servicio
- Mariza Mariani, Associate Director, Neighborhood Development Alliance (NeDA)
On the Margins is a co-production of the Minnesota Department of Human Rights and CTV North Suburbs
Borrowing Trouble: How Predatory Financial Practices Harm People and Communities
TV host Al McFarlane, Commissioner Lindsey and other guests discuss how communities of color and other underserved communities are affected by predatory lending, credit discrimination and other practices that unfairly take advantage of those who are financially struggling. The one-hour show was taped on April 30 as part of Financial Literacy Month in Minnesota and will be aired on Saint Paul Neighborhood Network (SPNN) and Minneapolis Telecommunication Network (MTN) – airtimes to be determined.
Read the press release here.
MDHR Resources on Financial Literacy and Discrimination in Credit Services
- Discrimination in credit services (web pages) - practices prohibited by the Minnesota Human Rights Act in credit services.
- Discrimination in Credit Services fact sheet (PDF 409kb)
- Predatory Lending and Credit Discrimination fact sheet (PDF 276kb)
- Laws which Prohibit Lending Discrimination fact sheet (PDF 324kb)
- Video: Your Credit History, What Does Your Employer Have a Right to Know?
Additional Financial Literacy Resources (External Web Sites)
- The Minnesota Department of Commerce licenses and regulates debt settlement companies, collection agencies and individuals and companies in several other industries. The Department of Commerce's web site offers the latest consumer protection-related alerts as well as a section devoted to financial literacy featuring practical tips and a student essay contest . Consumers with complaints or questions may call the Minnesota Department of Commerce at (651) 296-2488 or toll free, 800-657-3602.
- Help MN Save offers consumer protection information related to predatory lending, payday loans and other fraudulent activities as well as a resource list for other financial literacy resources.
- Homeownership Center offers fact sheets and other information on how to avoid scams related to homeownership and foreclosures.
- Minnesota Attorney General's Office offers advice on how to protect Minnesotans from fraud and specific resources for protecting seniors from fraud.
- Comprehensive list of organizations and resources from the Department of Commerce to help military families make informed financial decisions.
- National Foundation for Credit Counseling (NFCC): The NFCC is a network of certified credit counseling service agencies can recommend safe and reputable counseling service providers in Minnesota. Contact the NFCC at 1-800-388-2227 or online at www.nfcc.org.
