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2005 Press Release

ATTENTION: EDITORS / ASSIGNMENT EDITORS

Contact:
Neil Cotiaux, FHLBank of Pittsburgh: 412-288-2851; cell: 412-335-9488
Emily Keebler, Neighborhood Housing Services, Inc: 412-281-9986

YOUTH FINANCIAL FITNESS PROGRAM TO MARK ANNIVERSARY:
'MY MONEY, MY LIFE' GRADUATION SET FOR OCTOBER 18; NEW PROGRAM FEATURES BEING PLANNED TO SWEETEN SCOPE OF THE INITIATIVE

PITTSBURGH, PA, October 14, 2005 — My Money, My Life, the financial fitness program for young adults in Allegheny County, will mark its first anniversary with a graduation ceremony — and by announcing some new features that will place additional resources in the hands of students.

Approximately 30 young adults will hold their final class and take part in graduation ceremonies at Carnegie Library of Homestead, 510 E. 10th Avenue, 5-8 p.m. on Tuesday, October 18. To celebrate these students' achievement, area bankers will open fee-free savings accounts for the graduates bearing a complimentary $100 deposit.

The Federal Home Loan Bank of Pittsburgh (FHLBank) created My Money, My Life in the fall of 2004 with financial and in-kind assistance from Allegheny County, eight area banks and the program's administrator, Neighborhood Housing Services, Inc. The goal of the free, 15-hour, after-school course is to instruct at least 1,000 at-risk young adults by the end of 2009 about setting financial goals, budgeting, saving, credit card debt, avoiding predatory financial activities and other life-shaping decisions. At graduation, any participant with an attendance record of 80 percent or better is eligible for a fee-free savings account and initial $100 deposit. In addition, parents, guardians or caregivers attending the graduation ceremony receive a certificate to enroll in NHS' financial literacy/ homebuyer clubs or receive credit restoration counseling at no cost.

During the October 18 graduation, officials of the FHLBank, other participating banks and NHS will unveil plans to enhance staffing and curriculum over the next four years of the initiative.

In addition, the group will announce a free program of academic, vocational and skills training through Job Corps to help My Money, My Life graduates earn the money they will manage.

Participating banks in My Money, My Life are: Dwelling House Savings and Loan Association, ESB Bank, Iron & Glass Bank, Laurel Savings Bank, National City Bank, Northwest Savings Bank, PNC Bank, Sewickley Savings Bank and Sky Bank. The Homestead graduation ceremony is a collective effort of these nine banks as well as Allegheny County, NHS and the FHLBank.

Directions from Downtown:

Take I-376 East toward Monroeville. Take Exit 5 toward Homestead/Squirrel Hill. Merge onto Beechwood Boulevard. Stay straight and go onto Browns Hill Road/Blue Belt. Follow Blue Belt. Stay straight onto West Street. Turn left onto E. 11th Avenue. Turn right onto McClure Street. Turn left onto E. 11th Avenue, left onto Louise Street and left onto E. 10th Avenue. End at Carnegie Library in Homestead.