DISB Opens Up Information to the District's Consumers

The District of Columbia Department of Insurance, Securities and Banking (DISB) took its message out to the consumers at the first District government-sponsored-financial information fair for  consumers, DISB’s MONEYWI$E.

More than 20 exhibitors were on display for the one-day event at One Judiciary Square on October 27. DISB offered various seminars covering a range of subjects on personal finance. Partners and exhibitors such as the Capital Area Asset Building Corporation (CAAB), Operation Hope and Manna Mortgage provided valuable information.  

The fair served as a highlight for the agency’s comprehensive consumer protection initiatives. Over the past year, DISB has taken aggressive steps with several financial-education outreach programs, speakers, seminars, workshops, publications and information in the media.

At the fair, DISB Commissioner Thomas E. Hampton laid out the agency’s enhanced consumer protection and outreach initiatives. He also introduced consumers to a broad spectrum of resources and tools to help them make informed choices on money matters.

“Informed consumers are the best consumers,” Hampton said at the fair. “At DISB, business regulation and consumer education go hand-in-hand in protecting the financial interests of the residents of the District of Columbia.”

Hampton was followed by brief presentations by the community partners, including CAAB on asset building and the matched-savings program; and the Housing Counseling Services on credit and predatory loans.

One woman at the fair said she was happy she took the day off from work to attend.

“I couldn’t get all this information in a couple of hours during lunch,” said the woman who asked not to be identified. “I am glad I was here. I learned so much.”

Four of DISB’s five bureaus gave presentations on their regulatory services and provided consumer protection advice. The bureaus were Insurance, Securities, Banking, and Enforcement and Investigation. Rounding off the day were presentations by the Center for Responsible Lending on payday loans; Manna Mortgage on obtaining responsible mortgage loans; and the Center for Financial Education on credit counseling and identity theft. Throughout the day, the exhibitors discussed their consumer resources and services at various tables, and answered questions.