Money Smart Week El Paso is being modeled on successful efforts in Chicago.  In 2002, a coordinated effort of the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago and the Money Smart Advisory Council  which was a diverse group of more than 40 Chicago-area organizations  worked together to promote personal financial literacy.  Members agreed to share resources and ideas to achieve greater public awareness of the programs and services available in the city of Chicago.  The planning resulted in a week of financial seminars and educational activities.  

The El Paso Branch of the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas and United Way of El Paso County, in partneship with banks, credit unions, community outreach groups, local organizations, and the media, are leading efforts in El Paso County to offer free financial education seminars and activities during the third annual campaign being held in April 2012.  The goal of this community wide effort is to help guide El Pasoans on the path to economic independence through expansion of their knowledge of financial concepts and access to financial resources.  This in turn will provide long-term solutions for the financial stability of both individuals and families.