News

December 10, 2020
Maintaining Over $100 in Savings Linked to Increased Likelihood of Financial Stability in Lower Income Households

As many Americans head into the holidays unemployed and behind in rent and utility bills, a new report from the FINRA Investor Education Foundation and SaverLife found that people who maintained more than $100 in savings were much less likely to have their utilities shut off or resort to high-cost borrowing methods. Those who had more than $250 in savings experienced reduced likelihood of losing their housing for financial reasons. In addition, individuals with a savings balance over $100 were much more likely to say they were financially satisfied.
 

October 29, 2020
New Research: Financial Literacy Is Significant Indicator of Positive Future Financial Outcomes and Behaviors

Varying Levels of Financial Knowledge Among Americans May Deepen Inequality Financial literacy is a strong indicator of positive financial outcomes for the future, but differing levels of financial literacy among Americans may contribute to widening inequality among different segments of the population, according to a new study by the FINRA Investor Education Foundation (FINRA Foundation), the University of Southern California's Center for Economic and Social Research (CESR) and The George Washington University's Global Financial Literacy Excellence Center (GFLEC).
 

October 13, 2020
New Research: U.S. Investors Unfazed by Pandemic-Related Market Volatility

African American and Hispanic Investors Showed Greatest Increase in Interest in Investing Despite dramatic market volatility related to the COVID-19 pandemic during early 2020, investor optimism about the stock market remained high, and one in five Americans indicated an increased interest in investing, according to a new research study by the FINRA Foundation and NORC at the University of Chicago. At the same time, low levels of investment knowledge underscore the need for additional investment education opportunities, especially among African Americans and Hispanics, the research shows.
 

October 05, 2020
FINRA and the FINRA Investor Education Foundation Promote World Investor Week 2020

FINRA and the FINRA Investor Education Foundation (FINRA Foundation) join securities regulators and investor advocates around the globe to raise awareness about the importance of investor education and protection in recognition of World Investor Week 2020, a global weeklong campaign held Oct. 5-11, which will be celebrated throughout the entire month of October due to the ongoing pandemic.
 

September 30, 2020
FINRA Foundation Awards 2020 Ketchum Prize to Michael Morris

A Key Architect of the ABLE Act Recognized for Efforts to Advance Financial Capability for People with Disabilities
The FINRA Investor Education Foundation (FINRA Foundation) today awarded Michael Morris the 2020 Ketchum Prize—its highest honor—for his extraordinary leadership in creating a better economic future for people with disabilities through advocacy, research and education.
 

September 21, 2020
New Research: Two FINRA Foundation Studies Explore Links among Financial Knowledge, Cognitive Health, and Financial Decision Making in Older Americans

The FINRA Investor Education Foundation, in collaboration with researchers from Rush University Medical Center, released two studies today examining links among financial and health knowledge, cognitive health and financial and health decision making among older persons. The research, released in recognition of World Alzheimer's Day, demonstrates the importance of maintaining financial and health literacy as people age. 
 

September 10, 2020
New Research: FINRA Foundation Explores Risky Financial Behaviors by Senior Investors

Study Suggests Overconfidence in Financial Knowledge May Lead to Excessive Financial Risk Taking Among Older Investors
America’s older investors, many facing diminished financial knowledge and overconfidence in their ability to make sound investment decisions, may engage in more risky financial behaviors as they continue to age, according to new research from the FINRA Investor Education Foundation (FINRA Foundation), in collaboration with researchers from Duke University and Rush University Medical Center.
 

August 27, 2020
Military Spouses Receive Fellowships to Conduct Financial Counseling

Military service members and their families often face unique financial challenges complicated by frequent moves, cost of living adjustments and un- or underemployment of military spouses. In an ongoing effort to increase the financial capability of service members and their spouses, the FINRA Investor Education Foundation Military Spouse Fellowship awarded 50 fellowships to military spouses seeking to earn their AFC^® (Accredited Financial Counselor^®) designation.
 

July 23, 2020
New Research: FINRA Foundation Examines Financial Capability of Women Behind Bars

Study Highlights Grim Financial Challenges and Gender Disparities
New research from the FINRA Investor Education Foundation offers insights into the financial knowledge and habits of incarcerated women across multiple measures of financial capability and literacy, exposing the deep financial challenges facing women in prisons.
 

June 02, 2020
FINRA Foundation Announces Annual Research Award Recipients

The FINRA Investor Education Foundation (FINRA Foundation) recently announced the recipients of its higher-education awards created to recognize outstanding analyses by researchers-in-training who seek to advance understanding of consumer financial wellness and the complex relationships among financial literacy, financial capability and financial well-being.
 

March 19, 2020
New Research: Female Investors Lag Behind Male Counterparts in Investment Knowledge and Confidence

Female investors lag behind their male counterparts when it comes to investment knowledge and confidence, according to new research conducted by the FINRA Investor Education Foundation (FINRA Foundation) and the George Washington University School of Business' Global Financial Literacy Excellence Center (GFLEC).