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Happy New Year! We are excited for all the financial education opportunities that 2025 will have. In this issue of the newsletter, there is information on DFI Director being reappointed, the Holiday ad for $10 Billion Reasons, January webinars, FASFA and WASFA applications, grant applications, and more!  

As a reminder, please share with us any highlights, updates, or events you would like to share with the more than 23,000 people receiving the WFEN updates. When you have something you'd like to share with the network via this monthly email update - please send it to [email protected] <[email protected]%20> with the subject line "Proposed WFEN content." 

Additionally, if you’re not already following DFI’s social media accounts, please do! We’re working to grow our networks in addition to promoting your great work. 


* *X *[link removed] [ [link removed] ]
* *Instagram* [link removed] [ [link removed] ]
* *Facebook* [link removed] [ [link removed] ]
* *YouTube *[link removed] [ [link removed] ]
* *LinkedIn* [link removed] [ [link removed] ]

Just a reminder, DFI's outreach coordinator Nathan Spiecker provides financial education workshops statewi <[email protected]>de - in both English and Spanish! If you are looking for someone to help provide outreach in your community, contact Nathan at [email protected] or fill out a presentation request form [ [link removed] ].

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*DFI Director Charlie Clark Reappointed by Governor-elect Ferguson*

Charlie Clark high res

Governor-elect Ferguson announced on Jan. 6 that he reappointed Charlie Clark as Director of the Washington State Department of Financial Institutions (DFI). Clark’s reappointment was announced with that of another agency head.

The financial services market has changed significantly over the last decade. With new innovative financial products, DFI ensures that it’s regulation of financial service providers is keeping pace with changes in the marketplace. DFI’s staff of 236 currently licenses and regulates more than 300,000 individuals and entities, including banks, credit unions, mortgage loan originators, mortgage brokers, consumer loan companies, escrow agents, payday lenders, securities broker dealers, securities salespersons, investment advisers, and money transmitters. DFI’s mission is to protect consumers and advance the financial health of Washington State by providing fair regulation of financial services and educating consumers to make informed financial decisions.

“It’s critical that our financial services be well-regulated so that all Washingtonians can have confidence in the marketplace.” Clark said. “I am honored to continue to lead the agency with a commitment to consumer protection and fair and effective financial regulation.”

Read the full press release on the DFI website [ [link removed] ].

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*10B Campaign Continuing into 2025*

10B holidayDFI's statewide 10B Financial Fraud Prevention ad campaign is continuing into the new year. We've also had the site translated into Chinese, Korean and Spanish to reach deeper into communities. Our hope is we'll reach more people in Washington State with information on how to Identify, Prevent and Report Financial Fraud. (Did you know only about 15% of victims actually report financial fraud?) We all know scammers love to do their dirty work during the holidays - please help us help your clients, coworkers, family, and friends. Share the campaign website with them: www.dfi.wa.gov/10B. [ [link removed] ]

 

 

 

 

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*DFI's 2025-2026 Grant Application is Available NOW!*

grants online

Thank you for your patience as we waited for approval to move forward with the 2025-2026 Financial Education Grants program. We have simplified the application to make it easier to understand and fill out.

Please read the 2025-2026 Grants Manual  [ [link removed] ] prior to filling out your application. The Grants Manual provides many details you need to know prior to applying (eligible and ineligible expenses, deadlines, required documentation and more).

The 2025-2026 grants application is available online in both a fillable 2025-2026 DFI Financial Education Grant Application [ [link removed] ] and Survey Monkey format(link is external) [ [link removed] ] - please choose one. Please do not submit in both formats. To save and return to the Survey Monkey - you must have completed the section you are in and use the Exit button in the upper right corner of the page and return to the link using the same computer/IP address.

The deadline to submit the application is *Feb. 28, 2025, 5 p.m. PST*

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*WA529 Knowledge Cafe Webinars*

wa529

The WA529 Knowledge Cafe is a virtual learning center, where you can attend webinars to learn about the Washington College Savings Plans (The GET Program and DreamAhead Plan), ask questions and gather resources that support educational goals. There will be questions and answers time that will be available for all sessions to ask questions.

Register for a webinar:

Jan. 14, 2024 @ 12 p.m. Register  [ [link removed] ] Jan. 28, 2024 @ 12 p.m. Register  [ [link removed] ]
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*Winter Financial Literacy Webinar Series: Unwrapping the Secrets of Financial Success*

FEPPP

Organized by Migrant Education Program and Financial Education Public-Private Partnership (FEPPP)

"Gain insights on budgeting, banking, credit, and scams and fraud; learn about accessible, free resources in English and Spanish; and empower education professionals working with highly mobile youth transitioning into adulthood to feel confident discussing financial education.  "


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_January 27:_ Understanding Credit for Financial Success "(Rescheduled from January 13)"


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_February 3:_ Don't Get Scammed! Protecting Your Resources for Financial Success

Want to attend? Fill out the registration form [ [link removed] ].

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*Driving Consumer Protection and Financial Empowerment in Washington State*

FEN

Join the Financial Empowerment Network for a two-day event focused on the Consumer Finance Protection Bureau's Your Money, Your Goals Toolkit [ [link removed] ]. This is a great professional development opportunity to refresh your skills when using this fantastic resource! 

When?


* Jan. 14: Utility of the Your Money, Your Goals (YMYG) Toolkit as a supplement to your ongoing practice. 
* Jan. 15 (HYBRID): Half-day deep-dive into the Focus on Reentry Companion Guide [ [link removed] ].

Where?


* Highline College

Why you should attend:


* Grow our confidence navigating to YMYG resources during conversations with clients. 
* Learn from innovative practices happening in WA on implementing a "just-in-time" resource like the YMYG toolkit into coaching or education sessions. 
* Explore financial empowerment resources for people who have been justice impacted.

Register now! [ [link removed] ]

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2025-26 financial aid applications are now OPEN

WSAC

Complete the FAFSA or WAFSA application today! Both FAFSA and WASFA are pathways for Washington State residents to apply for Washington College Grant (WA Grant) [ [link removed] ] and other financial aid. WA Grant gives eligible people more money for more types of education like certificate programs, job training, apprenticeships, or college.

Learn more on the WSAC [ [link removed] ] website. 

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