Over 1,000 TD employees volunteer to deliver Financial Literacy programs in their communities

TORONTO, Nov. 1, 2012 /CNW/ - TD Bank Group and its employees recognize November as Financial Literacy Month in hopes of raising awareness and helping Canadians to improve their knowledge, skills and confidence when it comes to finances.

Every year TD employees lend their financial expertise to support youth, adults and new Canadians in schools and community centres on topics such as budgeting, general banking practices, borrowing, and saving. This year, over 1,000 TD employees have stepped up to volunteer their time to deliver Financial Literacy programs coast-to-coast, including ABC Life Literacy Canada's Money Matters and Junior Achievement Canada's Economics for Success, Dollars with Sense and the Canadian Bankers Association's Your Money program.

TD also donated over $1.3 million to support these programs which help Canadians reach long term goals for the future and more importantly instil more confidence when it comes to talking about money and finances.

"Having been a volunteer with financial literacy programs for over ten years, and working with adults and youth alike, I have learned that although everyone is different and at different stages of understanding, they want to improve their situations," says Jasmin Jo, Certified Financial Planner and Junior Achievement volunteer from Guelph, Ontario. "And programs like these are important because it encourages people to get back on track when it comes to their finances and better prepare them for the future."

"To be a part of your community, you have to be active in it," says Tim Houck , Senior Manager Small Business Banking and Money Matters volunteer from Halifax, Nova Scotia. "Through my volunteer experience, I have met people that haven't had the same opportunities as others and find they are held back due to their lack of financial understanding - but they are eager to learn and work towards a better future."

Financial Literacy is a priority in TD's community giving. TD focuses its support on helping youth through classroom programs and assisting at-risk, underserved individuals and families.

"As a large financial institution, TD recognizes that we have a particular responsibility to help Canadians gain a better understanding of their finances," said John Tracy, Senior Vice President, Retail Savings and Investing, TD Bank Group. "We look forward to working with the new Financial Literacy Leader when they are appointed by the federal government as we all have a role to play in improving financial literacy."

TD has also developed a number of online resources, tools and calculators, as well as products and services for our customers to help them make better financial decisions. These include: TD Helps, TD Get Saving, TD Student Life and TD Planning for your Future - Life Events.

For more information about financial literacy programs supported by TD, go to www.td.com/financialliteracy.

TD Community Giving

TD Bank Group invests in communities to make a positive impact where it does business and where our customers, clients and employees live and work. In 2011, TD Bank Group donated over $66 million to support community organizations in Canada, the United States and the United Kingdom. In Canada, we focus on Education and Financial Literacy, Creating Opportunities for Young People, and the Environment. For more information, visit www.td.com/corporateresponsibility.

SOURCE: TD Bank Group