OFIS Partners with Local Libraries to Provide Free, Unbiased Investor Ed

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 2, 2007 
Contact: OFIS (toll-free) 1-877-999-6442 
Media/Press calls:  Ken Ross - 517-335-1700

Certified advisers will focus on method of investing, checking out a broker

Free seminars to educate Michigan residents about investing will be held at libraries around Michigan beginning March 7 and continuing throughout 2007.

Sponsored by the Securities Section of the Michigan Office of Financial and Insurance Services (OFIS), the Investor Education @ your Library program is designed to help individuals make informed investment decisions, whether in their company-sponsored retirement accounts or in their private savings accounts.

The first seminar will take place at the Frankenmuth Public Library on March 7 from 6:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
“This is a great opportunity for consumers to get solid information from knowledgeable experts,” said OFIS Commissioner Linda A. Watters. “Unlike many investment seminars, our consumers will be presented with good information—not a sales pitch.”

Investor Education @ your Library will involve 90 minute seminars on investing that will be taught by certified financial investment advisers. There also will be tips on fraud prevention from state securities regulators. The seminars will be followed by optional, one-on-one counseling sessions for participants.

Investor Ed @ Your Library is funded entirely by a grant from the Investor Protection Trust (IPT) to the Securities section of OFIS. The primary mission of IPT is to provide consumers with independent, objective information required to make informed investment decisions. Funding for the IPT comes from the Investor Education Fund (IEF), a fund established with contributions from the analyst conflicts-of-interest settlements. The IEF is designated for investor education programs designed to provide consumers with the knowledge and skills necessary to make informed decisions and to increase their personal financial literacy.

This nationwide series, Investor Education @ your Library, has signed up libraries in 20 communities from Anchorage, Alaska, to Wichita, Kan., according to the American Library Association (ALA). A schedule of the seminars can be found on the ALA's Web site at http://cs.ala.org/ra/invest.

“Libraries have always provided patrons with information and resources to help them make good decisions for themselves and their families,” ALA President Michael Gorman said. “Libraries are places of opportunity for all people.”

Participating libraries also have received materials to enhance their investor education collections, including a series of investment booklets from IPT and Kiplinger Washington Editors, Inc.; a resource bibliography prepared by the Reference and User Services Association, a division of the ALA; and a DVD set of IPT’s national “MoneyTrack” series, a new 13-part public television series devoted to helping consumers learn to invest successfully and get control of their personal finances.

The seminars are free; however, advance registration is required. Consumers must also indicate if they wish to receive the one-on-one counseling. Seating is limited. For more information, contact your local library.

Investor Ed @ your Library Schedule:

MARCH 2007

Wednesday, March 7   Wixom Memorial Library, Frankenmuth                        6:30 PM

Saturday, March 24      Vicksburg District Library, Vicksburg                           10:00 AM

Saturday, March 31      Grand Ledge District Library, Grand Ledge                  10:00 AM 

APRIL 2007

Wednesday, April 4      Carnegie Branch, Jackson District library, Jackson        6:30 PM

Saturday, April 14        Sebewaing Township Library, Sebewaing                     10:30 AM

Tuesday, April 17         Van Buren District Library, Decatur                              6:00 PM

Thursday, April 19        Three Rivers Public Library, Three Rivers                     6:00 PM

Saturday, April 21        Ransom District Library, Plainwell                                 11:00 AM

Saturday, April 30        Portage District Library, Portage                                   6:00 PM

JUNE 2007

Friday, June 1               Portage Lake District Library, Houghton                       2:00 PM

Saturday, June 2           Peter White Public Library, Marquette                          10:00 AM

Saturday, June 2           Escanaba Public Library, Escanaba                               2:30 PM

Tuesday, June 19          Marshall District Library, Marshall                                6:00 PM

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