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Programs that provide information and/or support which helps people select a bank, open accounts, write checks, balance their checkbook, use an ATM, make direct deposit arrangements, bank online (e.g., pay bills, review account balances, order checks via the Internet), pay bills by telephone, change currency, conduct wire transfers or understand and manage other activities related to banking. Included are programs that help people who are homeless, people with little income and few resources and others with special problems to establish bank accounts and access other banking services.

Programs that provide services which relate to the limited lines of credit made available to consumers when they obtain a credit card or a loan from their bank or another financial institution. Credit cards allow consumers to purchase goods and services under an agreement where they repay all or a portion of the outstanding balance on a regular basis at an established interest rate.

Programs that provide assistance for individuals who are having difficulty meeting their financial obligations and, as a result, may be faced with bankruptcy or loss of their home or property.

Programs that provide educational workshops for individuals, families, business owners and others that deal with the essentials of money management, asset building and financial independence. The classes may address a wide variety of money management issues including banking services, consumer credit lending, debt consolidation/repayment, bankruptcy, small business development, retirement planning, investment management, savings, risk management, tax and estate law and other similar topics.

Programs that provide assistance for people who are in the process of obtaining a loan or line of credit to ensure that they understand the terms and conditions of the document they are about to sign and, where relevant, prevent them from becoming victims of predatory lending practices.

Programs that help people develop a plan for managing their money and that assume responsibility for investing the funds and/or making the payments on the individual's behalf in accordance with the plan.

Programs that help people who are having difficulty paying their monthly bills gain control of their finances. The process generally involves analysis of the individual's income, expenses, debts, taxes and other factors to create a personal financial assessment; development of a budget for basic living expenses; and agreement on a short-term plan for repayment of creditors which may include debt consolidation or other strategies and a longer term plan for realizing personal financial goals.

Public agencies, nonprofit organizations, banks, relatives or other individuals who have been appointed under federal law to act as a surrogate in situations where a cognitive impairment makes it impossible for beneficiaries to manage their own Social Security and SSI/SSD payments. Representative payees are chosen and designated by the Social Security Administration (SSA) to act on behalf of financially incapable SS or SSI beneficiaries. The individuals and organizations selected by the SSA may also manage waiver funding, consumer or family support grants or other types of benefits when chosen and designated by the administrating entity to act on behalf of beneficiaries who are incapable of managing their finances.

Programs that help people of all ages plan financially for retirement. Services may include a review of existing assets, retirement goals and expected retirement income and assets; analysis of options which may include work-related and individual retirement accounts, investments, savings accounts, trusts, annuities and insurance policies; and assistance in formulating strategies for money management, asset growth and protection, and realistic goal setting based on the client's age, current lifestyle, financial obligations and future earnings potential.