What is Financial Information Month

History
In 2002 the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank (ECCB) lobbied its eight member governments to designate October as Financial Literacy Month, in recognition
of the need to increase public understanding of financial matters.

Since then Financial Literacy Month has been celebrated in October each year
in the Eastern Caribbean Currency Union (ECCU). In 2009 the decision was taken
to change the name to Financial Information Month (FIM).

Objective
The Financial Information Month forms part of an ECCU financial literacy programme coordinated by the ECCB. The objective of the month is to begin the process of educating the region's citizens on the basics of personal financial management and consumer skills in order to set the framework for financially stable consumers of financial products and services.

During the month, the ECCB in collaboration with financial institutions, the Ministries of Education and Finance and the media have in the past implemented several
initiatives, aimed at preparing citizens to make the type of financial decisions that
can result in an improvement in their quality of life.

Programmes
Several programmes are planned to allow both adults and school children the opportunity to learn about various saving and investment options; how to determine
the appropriate balance between spending, saving, and investing, and the choices
best suited to their own personal situation.

Participating Countries
All the member countries of the Eastern Caribbean Currency Union participate in Financial Information Month. The member countries of the ECCU are:

Anguilla
Antigua and Barbuda
Commonwealth of Dominica
Grenada
Montserrat
St Kitts and Nevis
Saint Lucia
St Vincent and the Grenadines