Our society has an extreme need for financial literacy, an issue that has broad implications for our communities and the larger economy. At SIFMA, we are committed to tackle this issue from the ground up, empowering the next generation with an understanding of the market economy and teaching good financial habits that when taught young can last a lifetime.
The SIFMA Foundation
For more than 40 years, the SIFMA Foundation has strengthened economic opportunities for individuals of all backgrounds by increasing their understanding of the benefits of the global capital markets. Through a robust portfolio of dynamic, rigorous online educational programs that introduce young people to the financial industry and emphasize asset allocation, long-term planning, diversification and problem solving, the SIFMA Foundation has advanced financial capability for 18 million young people across the country.Year after year, SIFMA member firms’ critical support enables the SIFMA Foundation to equip elementary through high school teachers to engage their students first-hand in personal finance and the capital markets, prepare them for college and the workplace, and motivate them to explore jobs and careers in the financial sector. The SIFMA Foundation promotes best practices and thought leadership through multi-sector partnerships, including engaging 6,000 industry professionals as volunteers and every single member of Congress in advancing financial capability for 600,000 students each year.
Students who participated in The Stock Market Game™ scored significantly higher on mathematics and financial literacy tests than their peers who did not participate.
Learning Point Associates
Independent Study
The SIFMA Foundation honored champions of Financial literacy – Tom James of Raymond James and Charlotte McLaughlin of PNC Capital Markets – at the 2019 Tribute Dinner in New York City.
Teachers consistently tell us about the positive influence our programs have on their students. The educational impact of the SIFMA Foundation’s Stock Market Game™ is unmatched, with proven increases in student attendance, engagement and class participation, and improved academic performance and financial behavior. An independent study by Learning Point Associates found Stock Market Game students scored significantly higher on mathematics and financial literacy tests than their non-SMG peers. They also found that SMG teachers reported the program motivated them to better plan for their future and to engage in financial planning, research, and use of investment products and services.
The SIFMA Foundation offers a variety of volunteer and community engagement activities for financial professionals, in-person and online. From visiting classrooms to judging student essays, the SIFMA Foundation has a volunteer opportunity just right for you. Sign up today and discover specific ways you can bring your passion and expertise into classrooms and youth-serving nonprofits.
Project Invested
Project Invested tells the story of how capital markets contribute to our society and our economy each and every day. From underwriting infrastructure projects to helping entrepreneurs start new businesses, the capital markets are at work.
Project Invested promotes an understanding of the capital markets and promotes financial literacy for all. Its Investor Guide series provides a FINRA-reviewed comprehensive and understandable explanation of an investment product or market and is available online or in print.
Bond Basics
Equities
RMBS & CMOs
Corporate Bonds
U.S. Treasury Securities
Municipal Bonds
Zero-Coupon Municipal Bonds
Fostering a Diverse & Inclusive Financial Industry
How can we promote diversity, inclusion and parity to shape our workforce and serve our clients?
SIFMA and its members strive to provide firms across the financial services industry with the resources needed to achieve, expand and promote workforce, client, and supplier diversity and inclusion. Through SIFMA’s Diversity & Inclusion Advisory Council, we assist member firms in developing their diversity initiatives to increase inclusion in the workplace and in their efforts to market to diverse customers. We also provide benchmarking data on demographics and industry practices and recognizes achievements in diversity and inclusion.
Achieving diversity is an evolutionary process that requires an ongoing commitment to diversity policies and practices, as well as regular assessments to evaluate the effectiveness of workforce and employment practices, business practices and supplier diversity, and transparency of organizational diversity and inclusion.
Making Progress: Wall Street Journal rankings find banks and insurers lead the S&P 500 index in overall workforce diversity
Wall Street Journal, October 2019