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MAINE DEPARTMENT OF PROFESSIONAL
AND FINANCIAL REGULATION

35 SHS, Augusta, Maine 04333

Phone:	(207) 624-8500
Fax:	(207) 624-8690
TTY:	Please Call Maine Relay 711

Governor and State Agencies Promote February 19-26 as ?America Saves Week? and ?Military Saves Week?

 

February 16, 2012

 

 

Governor Paul R. LePage joined Commissioner Anne L. Head and agencies within Maine?s Department of Professional and Financial Regulation in promoting February 19-26 as ?America Saves Week? and ?Military Saves Week.? The Department?s Office of Securities and Bureau of Financial Institutions are leading the State?s effort to highlight these national campaigns sponsored by the American Savings Education Council.

Recognizing that many Americans are not saving enough for retirement and other goals, ?America Saves Week? began in 2007 to bring organizations from all sectors together to encourage good savings practices and to provide tools for individuals to assess their own saving status. ?Military Saves Week,? is a parallel campaign that focuses on Service Members, veterans and their families.

?In building a more prosperous Maine for the long-term, it?s important to remember that our economic strength as a State is tied to the financial well-being of individual families,? Governor LePage commented. ?Resources offered by the Department of Professional and Financial Regulation on saving and investing can help families, including those in the National Guard, plan for a more prosperous future by achieving their saving and investing goals.?

Commissioner Anne Head and Securities Administrator Judith Shaw announced that the Office of Securities is releasing a new personal finance guide for military families, called the Financial Field Manual. It?s available directly from the Office of Securities and will be distributed this month to Maine National Guard branches.

?This comprehensive 20-page booklet will be an asset to many Service Members and veterans,? Administrator Shaw commented. ?It covers a wide range of important topics, including special home-buying resources for military families. The manual also provides advice to help Service Members protect investments when retiring.?

Shaw noted that ?safe investing? resources for all Maine families are available on the agency?s website (www.investors.maine.gov) or by calling 1-877-624-8551 (TTY 1-888-577-6690). ?To avoid investment fraud and invest as safely as possible, investors should make a rule to always check the credentials of any investment adviser or broker before entrusting money to them.?

Bureau of Financial Institutions? Superintendent Lloyd P. LaFountain III highlighted the many resources available from his agency to help Maine families save and protect their assets. ?America Saves Week is an opportunity for people to examine their saving habits, to evaluate anticipated financial needs, and to plan accordingly,? LaFountain stated. ?The Bureau?s online ?Consumer Library? can help families get started.? Resources from the Bureau are available at www.maine.gov/pfr/financialinstitutions or by calling 1-800-965-5235 (TTY 1-888-577-6690).

Nationally, hundreds of governmental, corporate and non-profit organizations are promoting the goals of the campaign. To learn more, visit www.americasaves.org or www.militarysaves.org.

The Office of Securities and Bureau of Financial Institutions are part of Maine?s Department of Professional and Financial Regulation, which encourages sound ethical business practices through the regulation of insurers, financial institutions, creditors, investment providers, and numerous professions and occupations for the purpose of protecting the citizens of Maine. Consumers can learn more about the Department at www.maine.gov/pfr.