Case study

This article provides an overview of bank-based financial education. The role of banks more generally is reviewed, and examples of Marshall and Isley (M&I) Bank's Consumer Education (CE) program are discussed. Evaluation methods used by M&I are described. Key factors for success include clearly defined priorities, a standardized high-quality curriculum, appropriately designed delivery, well-integrated assessment and evaluation, effective community partnerships and a willingness to provide supporting tools.

GAO was asked to report on the implications of proposals to restructure the U.S. Social Security system by using a voluntary approach to individual retirement savings accounts accounts. GAO studied three countries that have enacted voluntary.individual account plans—the Czech Republic, Germany, and the United Kingdom. GAO found that making participation voluntary has significant implications for designing and administering the plan.