Date: October 9, 2008
For more information contact: Jim Guidry, (608) 264-6239 or jim.guidry@wisconsin.gov

Money Smart Week^SM
Insurance and Financial Fair to be Held October 17

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 Friday, October 17, 2008, from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 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 Sean Dilweg, 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 state and federal agencies and insurance companies will also be available to answer questions about first time home buyer programs, ways to protect yourself from identity theft and where to find educational programs that promote financial literacy. Several consumer guides and fact sheets will be available free of charge in both English and Spanish.

Companies and agencies participating in the event include the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection, the Department of Commerce, the Department of Financial Institutions, the Department of Public Instruction, the Educational Communications Board, the Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority, American Family Insurance Company, and WEA Insurance Company.

"We're pleased to be able to welcome so many partners to help us in educating the public about ways to manage their money and how to make smart insurance and financial decisions," Dilweg said.

Insurance and Financial Fair
October 17, 2008
10:00 a.m. - 1:00 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 in 2006 to improve financial literacy in Wisconsin. The third-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 educational 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.