Bringing new partners together to participate in national programs is another key strength of United Way. Get Checking is a national financial education program designed to address a growing challenge in modern banking that is affecting families and employers alike. People new to the country or new to banking can have difficulties opening a first-time checking account. Other times, an unfortunate past situation is preventing the opening of another account. Regardless of why, the ability to get and maintain a checking account is important to establishing financial stability and Get Checking offers a solution. Banks use a reporting system similar to credit reports to assess account applicants. If that report shows a person in bad standing, that person cannot open a checking account. However, it is possible to change that status by enrolling in a Get Checking class and then passing the Get Checking financial education course. Once complete, the reporting system is notified and the person is issued a certificate. With a certificate in hand, the person can approach a participating bank to open an account. It’s a win for everyone! The person needing the account can begin experiencing the convenience and respect that comes with having a checking account. Banks get new customers who have completed a course that teaches money and account management skills. And employers save costs by being able to use direct deposit for more of their employees. United Way of Tampa Bay is pleased to partner with community organizations and banks to bring this program to Hillsborough and Pinellas Counties. Upcoming Classes All classes are from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Thursday, January 10, 2008 Registration deadline: January 2, 2008 St. Petersburg Neighborhood Housing Services,Inc. 1600 Dr. MLK Jr. Street South St. Petersburg, FL 33701 Saturday, February 2, 2008 Registration deadline: January 23, 2008 Hillsborough County Extension 5339 County Road 579 Seffner, FL 33584 Thursday, March 20, 2008 Registration deadline: March 10, 2008 St. Petersburg Neighborhood Housing Services,Inc. 1600 Dr. MLK Jr. Street South St. Petersburg, FL 33701 Saturday, April 19, 2008 Registration deadline: April 9, 2008 Consumer Credit Counseling Service 5421 Beaumont Center Blvd., Suite 600 Tampa, FL 33634 Saturday, May 17, 2008 Registration deadline: May 7, 2008 Consumer Credit Counseling Service 5421 Beaumont Center Blvd., Suite 600 Tampa, FL 33634 Saturday, June 7, 2008 Registration deadline: May 28, 2008 St. Petersburg Neighborhood Housing Services,Inc. 1600 Dr. MLK Jr. Street South St. Petersburg, FL 33701 Tampa, FL 33605 Saturday, July 26, 2008 Registration deadline: July 16, 2008 Hillsborough County Extension 5339 County Road 579 Seffner, FL 33584 Saturday, August 23, 2008 Registration deadline: August 13, 2008 Pinellas County Extension 12520 Ulmerton Road Largo, FL 33774 Saturday, September 13, 2008 Registration deadline: September 3, 2008 Consumer Credit Counseling Service 5421 Beaumont Center Blvd., Suite 600 Tampa, FL 33634 Saturday, October 18, 2008 Registration deadline: October 8, 2008 Hillsborough County Extension 5339 County Road 579 Seffner, FL 33584 Saturday, November 15, 2008 Registration deadline: November 5, 2008 Consumer Credit Counseling Service 5421 Beaumont Center Blvd., Suite 600 Tampa, FL 33634 Saturday, December 6, 2008 Registration deadline: November 27, 2008 Pinellas County Extension 12520 Ulmerton Road Largo, FL 33774 For more information, call 1-800-741-7040, option 4 Register for the Get Checking Class Sponsors Thank you to the following financial institutions for supporting the Get Checking program in Tampa Bay: Silver Member: Suncoast Schools Federal Credit Union Washington Mutual Sponsoring Member: GTE Federal Credit Union Member: Eastern Financial Florida Credit Union SunTrust Bank Raymond James Bank         Class Information Download Get Checking flyer Get Checking Partners   Consumer Credit Counseling Service Hillsborough County Extenson Pinellas County Extension St. Petersburg Neighborhood Housing Services, Inc. Financial Institutions supporting Get Checking graduates are: Suncoast Schools Federal Credit Union Washington Mutual GTE Federal Credit Union Eastern Financial Florida Credit Union SunTrust Bank Raymond James Bank To read more about the national program, go to getchecking.org For more information about registering, call 1-800-741-7040, then choose Option 4 Ellen Stoffer Regional Director Prosperity Campaign of Hillsborough & Pinellas Counties 813-274-0939 estoffer@uwtb.org