To better assist those Californians currently receiving benefits from the Department of Social Services, the California Bankers Association has put together the following resources:

Find a Bank – The easiest way to keep your money safe is to keep it in a bank account. To find out which banks are closest to you, simply click here and then type in your ZIP code. Many of the banks in California also offer direct deposit of your DSS benefits.

The Power to Choose – Once you find out which banks are most convenient for you to use, you’ll want to know a little more about what kind of account or other services you might need. This short brochure tells you about the different bank accounts available and also provides some tips on money management.

Budgeting and Saving – Thousands of Californians are ready to begin making smart decisions about their money, but they just don’t know where to start. This short piece suggests ways to get started on your budget and make the most of your savings, regardless of how much you save.

Credit – It is very easy to get in financial trouble by abusing credit that you have secured. To make sure that you use your credit wisely, review these simple tips.

Additional Tips – The FDIC offers advice to consumers with different financial circumstances in its Consumer Alerts newsletter. You can learn about smart money management by accessing the newsletters here.

Links – Dozens of banks across California offer additional financial education materials. To access their Web sites, please click Links.