Baltimore, Maryland residents say the tough economy is changing how they manage finances
Tavis Smiley and Nationwide Insurance to provide financial literacy workshop in Baltimore
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 26, 2010
Contacts:
Nationwide:
Gayle Saunders
(614)
203-4772
saundee4@nationwide.com
TSG:
Vanesse Lloyd Sgambati (215) 888-4673
vlloydsgam@aol.com
Baltimore, MD —Baltimore, Maryland residents are making significant changes in how they manage their finances and many are looking for a hands-on approach toward improving their financial situation. The Nationwide Insurance On Your Side® Tour with Tavis Smiley will help to empower Baltimore residents to better manage their finances.
Nationwide Insurance is partnering with author and broadcaster Tavis Smiley to bring its free financial workshop to Baltimore on November 6 at the Hilton Baltimore. Doors open at 9 a.m.; the event begins at 10 a.m.
The need for Baltimore residents to address financial literacy and financial planning – including African-American households – is highlighted in a new financial survey commissioned by The Smiley Group and Nationwide Insurance that shows the recession has impacted how Americans are preparing themselves for the future.
Planning Ahead
According to the financial survey, African Americans in Baltimore have
made more positive changes in the past year as a result of the economy
than the city’s general population, including creating a household budget
(41 percent of African Americans compared to 27 percent general
population) and focusing on paying off credit cards (56 percent African
Americans to 38 percent general population).
Tough Times in Baltimore
Twice as many respondents in Baltimore believe their financial condition
has worsened in the past year than those who feel it has improved. One in
three African Americans have a household income less than $50,000 before
taxes, compared to 23 percent of the city’s general population.
Ten percent of African Americans and 9 percent of Baltimore’s general population say they are unemployed. Thirty-seven percent of African Americans say they are unable to pay all their household bills, compared to 19 percent of the general population.
Despite their situation, 62 percent of African Americans in Baltimore expect their financial condition will improve one year from now, compared to just 37 percent of the city’s general population. In addition, 14 percent of the general population expects their financial condition to get worse over the next 12 months, compared to just 5 percent of African Americans.
“The results of the survey underscore that Americans in Baltimore – black and white – are struggling to emerge from this downturn on their feet,” said Tavis Smiley. “As the world continues to recover from the recession, Black America has the highest unemployment rates, was heavily impacted by the housing crisis and was hit hard by the credit crisis. These sessions are as timely today as they were when we started the tour two years ago.”
Work To Be Done
When it comes to financial goals, 37 percent of African Americans say
paying rent or mortgage is their most important financial goal, compared
to 24 percent of the general population. Only 8 percent of African
Americans in Baltimore say saving for retirement is their most important
goal, compared to 17 percent of the city’s general population
About 90 percent of all Baltimore residents plan to build up an emergency savings fund over the next 12 months and say they will continue to do so for the long term.
The free financial workshop will feature a general session with Smiley as the keynote speaker and two informational seminars with breakout sessions about financial literacy basics, employment opportunities and more.
“As America continues to see the long-term impact of the Great Recession, our safety nets are slowly diminishing and consumers are becoming more aware that fiscal accountability and responsibility is up to them,” said Orysia Meyers, Nationwide’s regional vice president for the Mid-Atlantic Region. “Consumers are seeking financial information and tools to help them plan for today and prepare for tomorrow. We view our On Your Side Tour with Tavis Smiley as a way to help people help themselves and make a difference in communities like Baltimore.”
About the Financial Survey
The online financial survey was conducted in August 2010 by the
Blackstone Group. A web panel was used to collect data. A total of 400
residents of Baltimore were split into two sample groups: general
population, ages 18+ (200 people) and African American, ages 18+ (200
people). Significance testing was done at the 90 percent confidence
level. Margin of error is +5.8 percent. No incentives were provided to
survey respondents.
About Tavis Smiley and The Smiley Group
From his celebrated conversations with world figures to his work to
inspire the next generation of leaders, as a broadcaster, author,
advocate and philanthropist, Tavis Smiley continues to be an outstanding
voice for change. Smiley is currently the host of the late night
television talk show Tavis Smiley on PBS and The Tavis Smiley Show from
Public Radio International (PRI). TIME magazine honored Smiley in 2009 as
one of “The World’s 100 Most Influential People.” The Smiley Group, Inc.
is a communications corporation established in support of human rights
and related empowerment issues. TSG serves as the holding company for
various enterprises encompassing broadcast and print media, lectures,
symposiums and the Internet. For more information, visit www.tavistalks.com.
About Nationwide
Nationwide, based in Columbus, Ohio, is one of the largest and strongest
diversified insurance and financial services organizations in the U.S.
and is rated A+ by A.M. Best. The company provides a full range of
personalized insurance and financial services, including auto insurance,
motorcycle, boat, homeowners, life insurance, farm, commercial insurance,
administrative services, annuities, mortgages, mutual funds, pensions,
long-term savings plans and health and productivity services. For more
information, visit www.nationwide.com.
Nationwide, the Nationwide Framemark and On Your Side are service marks of Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company.
