Date: September 29, 2006
For more information contact: Eileen Mallow, Assistant Deputy Commissioner, (608) 266-7843 or eileen.mallow@wisconsin.gov

Money Smart Week^SM
Insurance and Financial Fair to be held October 4

Madison, WI—As part of Money Smart Week^SM Wisconsin the Office of the Commissioner of Insurance (OCI) will host an Insurance and Financial Fair on Wednesday, October 4, 2006, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. in Madison. The informational fair will provide individuals an opportunity to learn about shopping for and buying insurance.

"Everyone needs insurance, yet many feel they lack the knowledge and information to make smart insurance choices," said Jorge Gomez, Commissioner of Insurance. "This fair will allow individuals to learn about their insurance needs and the different insurance products available in the market place.

Representatives from numerous state and federal agencies and health and property and casualty insurance companies will be available to answer questions about insurance and distribute information about the different types of insurance available on the market. Several consumer guides to insurance will be available free of charge in both English and Spanish.

Companies and agencies confirmed to participate in the event include the Department of Public Instruction, the Department of Financial Institutions, the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection, the Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority, American Family Insurance Company, Thrivent Financial for Lutherans^TM and WEA Insurance Company.

"We're pleased to be able to welcome so many partners to help us in our mission of educating the public about insurance products," Gomez said.

Insurance and Financial Fair, October 4, 2006
10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
125 South Webster Street
GEF 3 - Plaza Level Conference Room 041
Madison, Wisconsin
Directions

Money Smart Week^SM Wisconsin was created by the Governor's Council on Financial Literacy which Governor Jim Doyle formed last year to improve financial literacy in Wisconsin. The first-year campaign is modeled after similar promotions run by the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago in the cities of Chicago and Detroit. It is envisioned as ongoing from year to year. Wisconsin's initiative has the support of the Federal Reserve Banks of both Chicago and Minneapolis.

The calendar of events can be found at: www.moneysmartwi.org. Organizations that want to post additional financial education offerings may do so by also going to the Web site.

Created by the Legislature in 1871, Wisconsin's Office of the Commissioner of Insurance (OCI) was vested with broad powers to ensure that the insurance industry responsibly and adequately met the insurance needs of Wisconsin citizens. Today, OCI's mission is to lead the way in informing and protecting the public and responding to its insurance needs.