AMERICA SAVES ANNOUNCES NEW INITIATIVE, VETERAN SAVES, TO LAUNCH DURING MILITARY SAVES WEEK AND EMPOWER VETERANS WITH FINANCIAL TOOLS AND RESOURCES

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AMERICA SAVES ANNOUNCES NEW INITIATIVE, VETERAN SAVES, TO LAUNCH DURING MILITARY SAVES WEEK AND EMPOWER VETERANS WITH FINANCIAL TOOLS AND RESOURCES  

Functioning as a Sister Program to Military Saves, Veteran Saves Will Focus Specifically on Building Wealth for the Veteran Community and Their Families 

(WASHINGTON, D.C.) April 25, 2023 — America Saves announced today the launch of Veteran Saves, a sister program to Military Saves that will create personal finance strategies tailored specifically to veterans and their families. The initiative is supported by the Department of Veteran Affairs and will launch in partnership with the Association of Military Banks of America (AMBA) and the Defense Credit Union Council (DCUC) during the annual Military Saves Week taking place April 24-28, 2023.  

“As a veteran myself and former military spouse, I have personal knowledge of the unique opportunities and challenges veterans experience,” said Kia McCallister Young, director of America Saves. “Some of the barriers we’re facing head on through Veteran Savers include financial stress, getting banked, housing and employment. Alongside our partners, Veteran Saves is committed to supporting veterans and those that love them with practical, ready-to-implement strategies that go beyond saving effectively.”  

Designed to address and curb the financial instability facing the veteran population, Veteran Saves will roll out its online presence during Military Saves Week. Both transitioning service members and existing veterans are invited to take advantage of the personal finance advice, information and resources.   

“In our Veterans Benefits Banking Program partnership with the VA, we’ve seen how saving and managing money can transform the financial lives of our Nation’s veterans,” said Maj. Gen. (Ret.) Steve Lepper, President and CEO of AMBA. “That’s why we are excited to take our efforts to the next level by teaming with America Saves, the Defense Credit Union Council, and the VA in Veteran Saves. By applying the lessons learned in the America Saves and Military Saves programs, we hope to encourage and empower veterans to use increased savings as a stable platform upon which they can build solid financial lives. We invite anyone interested in veteran financial wellbeing to join us.”  

In addition to blog posts, emails, social media and pledges, Veteran Saves will also host educational forums throughout the year. These include town halls and workshops to provide even more in-depth learning opportunities for the veteran community, especially those in critically vulnerable populations such as Black and Latino Americans, women, and those with a disability.  

“DCUC is proud to be able to support Veteran Saves and advocate for this important mission on behalf of all our nation’s credit unions,” said Anthony Hernandez, President and CEO of Defense Credit Union Council. “Credit unions have been serving our Nation’s military and their families for nearly 100 years, and this commitment to their financial well-being doesn’t end when a service member takes off the uniform. Veterans are in every community across our country, and Veterans Saves is a great way to engage with and encourage this important group to take charge of their finances.” 

Free of the judgment and shame typically associated with personal finance advice, Veteran Saves instead grounds all of its resources in behavioral science as it looks to build financial resilience, economic stability and increased savings for veterans. To learn more about Veteran Saves, including the program’s Founding Partners AAFMAA and DCUC, visit www.veteransaves.org. 

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About America Saves 

America Saves is a campaign managed by the nonprofit Consumer Federation of America that uses the principles of behavioral economics and social marketing to motivate, encourage, and support low-to-moderate income households to save money, reduce debt, and build wealth. America Saves encourages individuals and families to take the America Saves pledge and organizations to promote savings year-round and during America Saves Week. Since its inception, over 12,000 organizations have participated in America Saves Week to promote savings to their communities. Learn more at americasaves.org.