2007-2016

Celebrating Milestones

10

A Letter from Military SavesThis year marks the 10th anniversary of Military Saves Week. Military Saves and Military Saves Week have evolved into one of the cornerstones of the Department of Defense’s (DoD) Financial Readiness Campaign and continues to engage more servicemembers and their families each year.

Military Saves Week is an opportunity for military installations, commands and detachments, financial institutions, nonprofit organizations, and government agencies around the world to motivate servicemembers

and their families to reduce debt and build wealth. More than 800 organizations signed up to participate in Military Saves Week 2016—more than in any other year.

Financial readiness remains a critical component of personal and family readiness for servicemembers. Military Saves is always looking for ways to help servicemembers and their families save more and improve their financial readiness. In 2016, Military Saves launched a new goal-based text message service, available to Military Savers who take the Military Saves Pledge. We are excited to provide these messages, as studies show that goal-based text message reminders can help savers stay motivated to save.

Military Saves encourages all servicemembers, their families, and DoD civilian employees to take the Military Saves Pledge. Military Saves also encourages organizations to promote savings year round and during Military Saves Week. In the first quarter of 2016, nearly 30,000 individuals took the Military Saves Pledge or re-pledged, increasing the number of people who have taken the Military Saves Pledge to more than 250,000.

Military Saves continues to grow each year thanks to the support of our funders and through the work

Military Saves encourages all servicemembers, their families, and DoD civilian employees to take the Military Saves Pledge...In the first quarter of 2016, nearly 30,000 individuals took the Military Saves Pledge or re-pledged, increasing the number of people who have taken the Military Saves Pledge to more than 250,000.

of our participating organizations, installations, and government agencies. Thousands of individuals connect with Military Saves through www.MilitarySaves.org for savings information, financial tips, and guidance. Organizations use the website for gathering information to successfully plan and prepare for Military Saves Week and other savings-related initiatives throughout the year. Military Saves also posts blogs on various savings topics each week, which are easy to share with others on social media. Follow @MilitarySaves on Twitter and LIKE us on the Military Saves Facebook page.

We look forward to working with you in the months ahead as we prepare for Military Saves Week 2017, February 27-March 4! Set a goal. Make plan. Save automatically.

SET A GOAL. MAKE A PLAN. SAVE AUTOMATICALLY.

Sincerely,James Lander, Military Saves Director

Military savers from Davis-Monthan AFB, Tuczon, Ariz. set their savings goals.

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About Military Saves

Military Saves Funding

Military Saves, a component of America Saves and a partner in the Department of Defense’s Financial Readiness Campaign, is a research-based campaign that uses the principles of social marketing and behavioral economics to motivate, support, and encourage military families to save money and build wealth. Military Saves encourages all servicemembers, their families, and civilian employees to take the Military Saves Pledge and for organizations to promote savings year round and during Military Saves Week. Learn more at militarysaves.org.

Military Saves is made possible, in part, through the generous support of the FINRA Investor Education Foundation, USAA Educational Foundation, Wells Fargo Bank and Navy Federal Credit Union. Thanks to the continued commitment of these sponsors, the Military Saves campaign continues to grow each year.

As Military Saves Week celebrated its 10th anniversary this year, it’s also the perfect time to celebrate another milestone—more than 250,000 Military Savers who’ve taken the Military Saves Pledge since January 2007.

In the first quarter of 2016 (Jan. 1 - March 31), 27,886 individuals took the Military Saves Pledge, and an additional 2,365 re-pledged. In total, 30,251 people pledged to reduce debt and build wealth.

The pledge is a call to action that encourages servicemembers and their families to change the way they think about and act towards money, so they can save. Military saves urges families to take the pledge to set a goal, make a plan, and save automatically during Military Saves Week and to follow through on that promise all year!

Military Saves Pledge: Let’s Celebrate!

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—The Military Saves Pledge

“I WILL HELP MYSELF BY SAVING MONEY, REDUCING DEBT, AND BUILDING WEALTH OVER TIME. I WILL HELP MY FAMILY AND MY COUNTRY BY ENCOURAGING OTHER AMERICANS TO BUILD WEALTH, NOT DEBT.”

*First quarter (January-March, 2016)

MILITARY SAVES PLEDGES 2007-2016

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2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

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30,000

25,000

20,000

15,000

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Since 2007, more than 250,000 servicemembers and their families have taken the Military Saves Pledge to reduce debt and build wealth.

PHOTO

Keys Federal Credit Union, Key West, Fla., celebrated MSW 2016 by drawing winners who received a total of $600 to save!

Military Saves Campaign: DoD Financial Readiness Partner

As partners in the Department of Defense’s (DoD) Financial Readiness Campaign, Military Saves and the DoD have mutually benefited from a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for 13 years.

Since 2007, the DoD has issued an authorizing memo designating the last week in February, Military Saves Week. For Military Saves Week 2016, General Joseph Dunford, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and Sgt. Maj. Bryan Battaglia, Senior Enlisted Advisor to the Chairman, endorsed the memo.

Military Saves Receives New Video EndorsementsTwo new Military Saves Campaign video endorsements made their way around social media for the week.

The first video endorsement featured National Guard Bureau CMSgt. Mitchell O. Brush and Mrs. Blair Brush and underscored the importance of financial readiness to mission readiness.

In the second video, senior enlisted leader spouses spoke about the importance of three Military Saves’ strategies in building a stable financial future: Set a goal. Make a plan. Save automatically.

For a complete list of Military Saves Week endorsements, please visit the Memorandums and Endorsements Page.

PHOTO

National Guard Bureau CMSgt. Mitchell O. Brush and Mrs. Blair Brush were featured in a MSW video endorsement.

525installations and units

165 financial institutions and financial services organizations

83 non-profit organizations and government agencies

Military Saves Week 2016:

More Participating Organizations, More Financial Fun!

The number of participating organizations continues to increase and is up nearly 150 from 2015.

To kick off what is the military’s largest financial readiness celebration, organizations held commander’s proclamation signing events, financial workshops and seminars, pledge tables/drives, credit score and identity theft workshops, cake cutting ceremonies, contests, and even scavenger hunts.

On installations around the country and world, more than 800 organizations participated in Military Saves Week 2016, including:

For a complete list of #MSW2016 participating organizations, please visit:

www.militarysaves.org/organizations/ military-saves-week/participating-organizations

For a snapshot of just some of the #MSW2016 events and activities that took place, please visit:

www.militarysaves.org/organizations/ military-saves-week/events-and-activities

Installations With the Most PledgesCongratulations to these three installations that received the most Military Saves pledges during the first quarter of 2016 (Jan. 1-March 31). By promoting the Military Saves Pledge,

these installations helped servicemembers and their families plan to change their savings behavior.

1 Fort Leonard Wood, Mo.

2 Fort Hood, TX

3 Marine bases near Okinawa, Japan

Fort Leonard Wood, Mo.

Fort Leonard Wood (FLW), Mo. received the most pledges for the first quarter of #MSW2016—3,274. How did FLW’s Financial Readiness Program have such success? They didn’t wait for servicemembers to come to them. Rather, they brought the message of reducing debt and saving money out to the troops during Advanced Individual Training, to individual units, and during events held at the mini mall and USO.

PHOTO

A Co 554th Engineers take the Military Saves Pledge to reduce debt, build wealth.

Highlighting Outstanding Involvement

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Fort Hood, TX

In addition to partnering with local financial institutions, Fort Hood’s Financial Readiness Program joined forces with BOSS (Better Opportunity for Single Soldiers) to educate servicemembers on Financial Life Skills—credit/debt, saving automatically, needs vs. wants, etc. As a result, 2,583 Military Savers took the Military Saves Pledge.

Marine bases near Okinawa, Japan

Marine and Family Personal Financial Management Program hosted three proclamation signing events and 80 other events reaching more than 4,900 service and family members. The program also participated in a live radio spot on AFN Okinawa and published regular Military Saves-related articles/ads in local publications. Marines and their families took note, and 944 took the Military Saves Pledge.

PHOTO

Fort Hood's Financial Readiness Program partnered with Better Opportunity for Single Soldiers (BOSS) to celebrate MSW 2016 with interactive presentations.

PHOTO

Brigadier General Joaquin F. Malavet, Commanding General MCIPAC, signs the 2016 Military Saves Proclamation kicking off a month-long celebration at Marine bases near Okinawa, Japan.

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DoD Community Bank

The DoD Community Bank (operated by Bank of America) associates in all 66 banking centers reached a total of approximately 24,000 military, DoD civilians, and their family members during Military Saves Week. Bank associates encouraged members to take the pledge and delivered the global Military Saves message to local communities via banking centers and events.

Community Bank associates participated in nearly 300 community activities that included savings workshops for military units, elementary, middle and high school students, and at youth centers. Community Bank also hosted school field trips and bank tours, as well as provided information/pledge tables at banking centers and the BX, PX, commissary, shoppette, dining facility, and many other on-installation locations.

Government Agency Partners

Participating Organizations:

•AssociationofMilitaryBanksofAmerica

• ConsumerFederationofAmerica

•DefenseCivilianPersonnelAdvisoryService

•DefenseCreditUnionCouncil

•DepartmentofHousingandUrbanDevelopment

•DepartmentofVeteransAffairsInsuranceCenter

• FederalDepositInsuranceCorporation

• FederalRetirementThriftInvestmentBoard

• FederalTradeCommission

• FinancialIndustryRegulatoryAuthority

• FINRAInvestorEducationFoundation

•MilitaryOneSource

•NationalAssociationofFederalCreditUnions

•NationalCreditUnionAdministration

•NationalFoundationforCreditCounseling

•NationalGuardBureau

•NationalMilitaryFamilyAssociation

•NavyFederalCreditUnion

•NavyInstallationsCommand

•OfficeoftheComptrolleroftheCurrency

• PersonalFinancialCounselors

• SecuritiesandExchangeCommission

• SocialSecurityAdministration

Each year, the Department of Defense (DoD) organizes a Financial Readiness Fair to encourage servicemembers and DoD employees to take the Military Saves Pledge and set up automatic ways to save. Participating organizations were able to reach hundreds of servicemembers and DoD civilian employees.

DoD PENTAGON FINANCIAL READINESS FAIR

To celebrate Military Saves Week, Military Saves’ non-profit partners promoted the campaign in the following ways:

FINRA Investor Education Foundation

• Conducted25workshopsandtrainingeventsatvariousinstallationsinFlorida, Georgia, Hawaii, and Alaska. Events in Alaska included a SEC representative.

• Connectedwith788servicemembersorspouses• Registered2,081myFICOusers• Delivered1,057myFICOReports(thruMay22,2016)• ExhibitedatthePentagonFinancialReadinessFair• ExhibitedattheMilitarySavesWeekFinancialFairatBuckleyAFB,

Colorado

USAA Educational Foundation

• FeaturedMilitarySavesWeekonwww.usaaef.org• SubmittedguestblogstoMilitarySaveswebsitehighlightingsavings

topics• Usedsocialmediatohelpfacilitateawareness• Providedaccesstoallofthefreeresourcesavailableatwww.usaaef.org

Hands-On Banking

• Offeredfreefinancialreadinessguidestofinancialeducatorsonmilitaryinstallations

• Providedfreefinancialeducationtoservicemembersthrough www.handsonbanking.org

Navy Federal Credit Union

• GenerouslysupportedMilitarySavesinitsefforttolaunchthenew goal-based text message service during Military Saves Week

Non-Profit Partners

PHOTO

Bud Schneeweis, Military Financial Readiness, FINRA Investor Education Foundation, presents to Military Savers at Camp Smith, HI.

PHOTOS

1 U.S. Army Garrison Miami, Fla. celebrated Military Saves Week with a formal proclamation signing.

2 Holly Petraeus, Assistant Director of Servicemember Affairs, Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, highlighted Military Saves Week events at Naval Base Kitsap, Wash., as the keynote speaker for executive military leadership and during a town hall meeting addressing financial issues and concerns for military members and their families.

3 The U.S. Coast Guard District 11 South Command's Thousand Dollar Card was handed out during Military Saves Week to help savers identify needs versus wants.

4 At Joint Base Charleston, S.C., servicemembers attended a Military Saves Week kick-off event.

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5 Keys Federal Credit Union, Key West, Fla., hosted financial bingo for Military Savers during Military Saves Week.

6 Fort Jackson, S.C. savers took the pledge to save more money and identified goals during Military Saves Week.

7 Financial resources were available to savers at Joint Base Charleston, S.C.

8 The local chapter of the Better Business Bureau hosted a table at a Camp Pendleton, Calif. Military Saves Week event.

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Designation of Excellence Recipients

• AirForceFederalCreditUnion• AndrewsFederalCreditUnion• ArmedForcesBank• ArsenalCreditUnion• BancorpSouth• BelvoirFederalCreditUnion• BiddefordSavings• BroadwayBank• DeanBank• DemocracyFederalCreditUnion• DistrictGovernmentEmployeesFederalCreditUnion• DoverFederalCreditUnion• EglinFederalCreditUnion• ElectroSavingsCreditUnion• FarmersSavingsBank• FirstArkansasBank&Trust• FirstCapitalBankofTexas• FirstCentralCreditUnion• GuadalupeCreditUnion• HanscomFederalCreditUnion• KeysFederalCreditUnion• LUSOFederalCreditUnion• M&TBank• MechanicsBank• NavyFederalCreditUnion• PacificMarineCreditUnion• PenAirFederalCreditUnion• PioneerValleyCreditUnion• QuonticBank• R.I.A.FederalCreditUnion• TorringtonSavingsBank• TSBank• VISIONBank• WesBanco

On Wednesday, May 18, 2016, 34 banks and credit unions received the America Saves Designation of Savings Excellence at the National Savings Forum.

Now in its second year, the designation recognized banks and credit unions that went above and beyond to encourage people to save money during Military/America Saves Week. A dozen of the recognized banks and credit unions serve military installations, servicemembers, and their families.

Credit unions and banks encouraged thousands to save as part of Military and America Saves Week.

At credit unions, 96,842 new accounts were opened, 2,713,844 people added to existing accounts, and 1,195,110 automatic savings deposits were made. At banks, 7,000 new accounts were opened, 416,325 existing accounts had higher balances during America Saves Week promotion, and 819 new automatic savings accounts were opened.

America Saves Designation of Savings ExcellenceMilitaryBanks&CreditUnionsReceivePrestigiousHonor

Congratulations to the recipients of the America Saves Designation of Excellence for success in promoting savings

In February 2016, Military Saves launched its new goal-based text message service to Military Savers. The service sends financial tips, quizzes, surveys, and reminder texts to subscribers every other week, based on the savings goal they choose when taking the Military Saves Pledge.

The service is like having your own personal savings coach in your purse or pocket, and signing up is easy! Simply subscribe by taking the Military Saves Pledge.

Thank you to Navy Federal Credit Union for its generous support of this new initiative to help savers save.

Engaging Veterans, One Relationship at a Time

Although veterans have been participating in Military Saves Week for more than five years, Military Saves is making a renewed, focused effort to reach out to transitioning veterans to help them make changes that will better prepare them financially for life after service.

In addition to building relationships within the military community, Military Saves is working closely with targeted installations, as well as expanding digital communications to reach this underserved population.

What’s New

A Personal Savings Coach in Your Back PocketHelping Military Savers Reach Their Savings Goals with New Text Message Service

As part of a recruitment campaign drawing for the text message service this spring, one lucky winner won $500 to help jump start her own savings goal.

Congratulations to Kesabii (Grace) Moseley,MAJ.,JA,ret.,ofVirginia,whotook the Military Saves Pledge and subscribed to the text message service in April as part of the Army Soldier for Life Program.

And the Winner of the $500 Drawing Is…

Military Saves’ partners also covered the campaign kick off by linking to the Military Saves

website and promoting the week through coverage on their

respective websites.

Military Savers continue to become part of the financial

readiness conversation online through the Military Saves website

and social media as interactive communications trend up.

Unique Visitors on www.militarysaves.org

January-March 2014

34,078January-March 2015

40,930January-March 2016

40,976

Before and throughout the week, #MSW2016 shined the spotlight on personal savings and received high-level media attention. Here are some highlights:

Military Saves Week: Making Waves

Consumer Watch: Start your savings plan this week—here’s why —Military Times (Feb. 25, 2016)

Military Saves Week: Day 3, Save Automatically—Credit.org (Feb. 24, 2016)

It’s Time to Make Every Week into Military Saves Week—Task & Purpose (Feb. 22, 2016)

Commissaries, Military Saves Week offer ways to stretch hard-earned dollars —Defense Commissary Agency (Feb. 11, 2016)

What is Military Saves Week? —Marine Corps (Feb. 5, 2016)

Social Media Presence/Q1totalsTwitter

FollowersTwitterLikes

Tweets(February)

2014 1,390 181 -2015 1,959 175 1,8002016 2,352 232 5,079

FacebookLikes

2014 12,8952015 17,0132016 23,415

Air Force Aid Society

Air Force Banking Office

Air Force Personal Financial Readiness

Air Force Reserve

Airman, Family &CommunityOperations Branch Directorate of Personnel Services

American Bankers Association

American Institute of CPAs

American Savings Education Council/ Employee Benefit Research Institute

Armed Forces Bank

Armed Forces Financial Network

Armed Forces Tax Council

ArmyBankingOffice

Army Community Covenant

Army Department of Defense Education Activity

Army Emergency Relief

Army Installation Management Command

Army Manpower and Reserve Affairs

Army Personal Financial Manager; Soldier and Family Readiness Division

Army Public Affairs Office

Association for Financial Counseling and Planning Education

Association of Military Banks of America

Blue Star Families

Boys&GirlsClubsofAmerica

Certified Financial Planner Board

Consumer Financial Protection Bureau-OfficeofServicemember Affairs

Council of Better Business Bureaus Military Line

Defense and Finance Accounting Service, DoD Banking and Credit Unions

Defense Credit Union Council

Department of Defense State Liaison Office

Department of the Treasury, Director, OfficeofFinancialEducation

Doorway to Dreams Fund

Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation

Federal Retirement Investment Board, Thrift Savings Plan

Federal Trade Commission

Financial Planning Association

FINRA Investor Education Foundation

Holt Solutions

HQAirForceReserveCommand (Chief, Airman&FamilyReadiness)

IMCOM Policy: Project Analyst/ Financial Readiness

Investor Protection Trust

Marine Corps Banking Office

Marne Corps Installations West

MilitaryOfficersAssociation of America

NASAA, Military Outreach Project Group

National Association of Federal Credit Unions

National Credit Union Administration

National Foundation for Credit Counseling

National Guard BureauOfficeoftheNGB Comptroller

National Military Family Association Government Relations

Navy and Marine Corps Relief Society

Navy Banking Division

NavyBankingOffice

Navy Federal Credit Union

Navy Manpower and Reserve Affairs

Navy Personal Financial Manager Program

OfficeofPersonnelManagement

OfficeoftheAssistantSecretary of Defense/Reserve Affairs

OfficeoftheComptroller of the Currency

OfficeoftheSecretaryofDefenseOfficeofMilitary Community and Family Policy

OfficeoftheSecretaryof Defense

OfficeoftheSecretaryof Defense/Personnel &Readiness

OfficeoftheSecretaryof Defense/Personnel &Readiness-Youth

Operation Hope

Securities and Exchange Commission

US Bank

US Coast Guard Mutual Assistance

USCoastGuardOfficeof Work-Life

USAA

Wells Fargo Bank

Military Saves Advisory CommitteeThe Military Saves Advisory Committee is made up of many organizations that provide their expertise and guidance. Members of the Advisory Committee meet quarterly to collaborate on Military Saves’ mission to help servicemembers and their families save money, reduce debt, and build wealth.

PHOTO

Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. kicks off Military Saves Week with a cake cutting.

Mark Your Calendars & Connect!

www.militarysaves.org and info@militarysaves.org | Facebook www.facebook.com/MilitarySaves | Twitter www.twitter.com/MilitarySaves

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Military Saves Week 2017 will kick off the campaign year

Monday, February 27 – Saturday, March 4, 2017