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Many TD employees are ambassadors for financial education in their neighborhoods. Over 2,300 TD volunteers globally taught money skills in classrooms and community centres last year, including our own financial education curriculum, the TD Bank WOW!Zone. The program was pioneered in 1990 to teach American students in Grades K–12 about building good financial habits early in life. Trained TD volunteers present free workshops in classrooms, with additional learning resources available online for kids, parents and educators. In 2012, we celebrated the one-millionth student taught through the program.

TD employees also volunteer through numerous external programs like Economics for Success and Dollars with Sense (Junior Achievement), Money Matters (ABC Life Literacy Canada), Number Partners (National Number Partners in the U.K.) and Dollars & Sense: Guidance for Aboriginal Youth (Aboriginal Financial Officers Association of Canada).

“To be a part of your community, you have to be active in it,” says Tim Houck, Senior Manager, Small Business Banking, and Money Matters volunteer from Halifax, Nova Scotia. “Through my volunteer experience, I have met people that haven’t had the same opportunities as others and find they are held back due to their lack of financial understanding – but they are eager to learn and work towards a better future.”

+ TD Economics Report: Financial Literacy (PDF)

Additionally, TD is committed to thought leadership in financial literacy. TD Economics, for instance, has published special research reports on the topic, including one last year on financial literacy opportunities and challenges in the U.S. We also participate in conferences that foster dialogue and fresh approaches. Our sponsorship of the Assets Learning Conference in Washington, D.C., in 2012 is a recent example. The event brought together over 1,300 government leaders, service providers and other pioneers in the field to discuss the best ways to achieve economic opportunity for America’s low-income families, including strategies for addressing debt and saving for the future.

A part of the solution

As the world of personal finance becomes more sophisticated and individuals have greater responsibility for their financial planning, the need for money skills will only increase.

Financial illiteracy is a serious, complex issue with many challenges. But it is one that can be overcome. Through long-term commitment, sustained investment and collaboration with many community, government and education partners, TD and its employees are working hard to be part of the solution.

In classrooms and communities

Raising financial literacy levels is also a priority in TD’s community giving. We focus our investments on helping youth through classroom programs and assisting at-risk, underserved individuals and their families. In 2012 alone, TD contributed $1.8 million to organizations across North America and the U.K. that are working to build financial proficiency.

1 million

American students have learned valuable money skills since 1990 through the TD Bank WOW!Zone financial education program.

2,300

TD volunteers taught money skills in classrooms and community centres in 2012.

TD 2012 Corporate Responsibility Report