National Financial Capability Month, 2014

Proclamation 9096 of March 31, 2014

National Financial Capability Month, 2014

By the President of the United States of America

A Proclamation

Thanks to the grit and determination of the American
people, our Nation has cleared away the rubble of the
worst recession since the Great Depression. As we
continue to create jobs and grow our economy, families
strive to rebuild their finances and shore up their
futures. During National Financial Capability Month, we
renew our drive to give all Americans the tools to
navigate the financial world and gain the economic
freedom to pursue their own measure of happiness.

In today's economy, financial capability is essential
for some of life's biggest transitions--paying for
college, buying a home, saving for retirement. A solid
understanding of the marketplace makes it easier to
avoid scams, spot misleading information, and decipher
complex paperwork. For free resources on managing money
and making the best decisions for you, visit
www.MyMoney.gov and www.ConsumerFinance.gov, or call 1-
888-MyMoney.

My Administration is working alongside businesses,
schools, and community leaders to empower Americans
with financial information. We launched the ``Know
Before You Owe'' campaign to make student loans more
transparent and created myRA, an affordable savings
bond that encourages Americans to begin building nest
eggs and allows them to carry their account between
jobs. And we continue to take action against companies
that charge hidden fees or deceive consumers with
barely understandable fine print.

We must also ensure that Americans have the means to
put their financial understanding to use. Thanks to the
Affordable Care Act, millions can finally live secure
in the knowledge that they are no longer an illness or
injury away from bankruptcy. Yet for those who work
full-time, make minimum wage, and still live in
poverty, budgets do not stretch far enough to leave
room for investments. This month, as we improve
financial capability throughout our Nation, let us also
advance the opportunity agenda--new jobs in tomorrow's
industries, more access to job training, a world-class
education for every child, and an economy where hard
work pays off for every American.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the
United States of America, by virtue of the authority
vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the
United States, do hereby proclaim April 2014 as
National Financial Capability Month. I call upon all
Americans to observe this month with programs and
activities to improve their understanding of financial
principles and practices.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this
thirty-first day of March, in the year of our Lord two
thousand fourteen, and of the Independence of the
United States of America the two hundred and thirty-
eighth.