PERSONAL FINANCIAL EDUCATION | PERSONAL FINANCIAL EMPOWERMENT

Branch-Out Financial advocates for financial literacy and personal financial empowerment for low and middle-income families.  We believe that personal financial literacy is a social justice issue created primarily by the systematic exclusion of African-Americans from the financial system throughout history.  The lack of financial literacy leaves many families living paycheck to paycheck, buried in debt, and often stuck in a cycle of generational poverty.  Consider the following statistics:

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• Only 16% of Americans between the ages of 18-26 are very optimistic about their financial future (Bank of America). (https://bankofamerica.com)

• Over 4% turned down for jobs or promotions due to their financial background in the NFEC survey of 2,403 people across the US. (www.financialeducatorscouncil.org)

• 44% of Americans don’t have enough cash to cover a $400 emergency.(www.forbes.com)

• 33% of American adults have $0 saved for retirement. (www.forbes.com)

• Although the U.S. is the world’s largest economy, the Standard & Poor’s Global Financial Literacy Survey ranks it No. 14 (www.investmentnews.com) 

Financial literacy is of urgent need across the country.  However, many do not have access to financial education resources and free/ low-cost individual support.  Branch-Out’s goal is to help close the economic disparity gap by providing personal financial education blogs, seminars, webinars, community events, and advocating for more personal finance curriculum in schools.