During these tumultuous financial times in Michigan, there is a strong need for fiscal literacy. Michigan Money Smart Week (MSW) is held April 20-26.

For the fifth year, MSW aims to educate consumers about money management. Across the state, events are held to help consumers make better financial decisions.

Comerica will host four such events in the metro Detroit area.

“This week is very important to Comerica and the community,” said Charlene Cole, Comerica Education Relations Manager. “We all need to work together to raise awareness of the importance of financial education and financial literacy. Our future depends on it.”

On Tuesday, April 22, from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m., consumers can go to On Tuesday, April 22 from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m., consumers can visit specific Comerica Banking Centers to shred personal financial documents, which decreases the risk of identity theft.

According to the U.S. Department of Justice, identity theft is one of the fastest growing crimes in America. More than 9.9 million Americans were victims of identity theft, costing them about $5 billion.

Youth will also learn to become money smart, when Comerica partners with Junior Achievement on Monday, April 21 for a financial education seminar that will be held at the Academy of Warren Charter School from 8:30 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Cameilia Lewis, senior program manager, Junior Achievement, said the financial literacy courses will help the students as they grow older to make wise choices.

“When they are adults, they will be in a better situation than we find ourselves in, since we did not have this information,” said Lewis.

“It’s important for students (to learn), because advertisers are targeting younger and younger markets. They are not only children but they have become part of the economic cycle as a consumer and they need to be able to make wise choices.”

During the day, Comerica volunteers will facilitate workshops. On an average school day, classes would rotate; however, the school has agreed to suspend the class rotation to allow time for the workshops.

Each classroom will have a grade and specific curriculum that Junior Achievement developed and uses for its financial literacy program.

“We are serving the students, while we are supporting the classroom and teachers,” said Lewis.

Comerica Bank will also host three Banking on Our Future events that will take place Tuesday, April 22 and Thursday, April 24 at the Comerica Banking Center, 12400 Nashville in Detroit. The sessions will be held from 8:30 a.m. – 3 p.m. A third session is scheduled for Friday, April 25 from 8:30 a.m., – 3 p.m. at the Cobo Hall.

Money Smart Week originated in Chicago with The Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago and has since branched out to Michigan, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa and Wisconsin.

Gov. Jennifer Granholm issued a Proclamation to declare Michigan’s Money Smart Week.

“I encourage all citizens to take advantage of programs and activities geared toward financial management and prosperity all year long,” said Granholm.

For more information, visit www.moneysmartweek.org/michigan or call the Money Smart Week Hotline (877) MNY-SMRT (1-877-669-7678).