A Local and National Perspective on the State of the Asset- Building Field Andrea Levere, President, CFED 2012 Hawai’i Family Financial Empowerment Symposium

What Hawai`i Brings to the Assets Field

Hawai`i Framework Modifications  Start from a values base and cultural context Cultural, environmental & community sustainability Build genuine wealth through the concept of “enrichment” as expressed in the name of Ho’owaiwai Network Amend the framework by adding the imperative to “Share it” Aim to engage in rigorous policy advocacy, practice innovation, and evaluation at meaningful scale

How far you have come

State of the Movement  Consistency of focus: creating the “mindset of asset-building”  Creation of increasingly diverse, growing networks at the state and county levels  Frame an ambitious policy agenda  Design and delivery of both “low-hanging” and cutting edge products and services

Consider these numbers Lowest level of Liquid Asset Poverty in the nation at 23 % (compared to 43% for the US) Yet… Ranked 51 st in both Average Annual Pay and Affordability of Homes

Leading us into the future

Scaling impact at home and abroad  Embed and integrate: expand the “super- vitamin” approach  Big policy: eliminate asset limits at home and advocate for a universal savings incentive abroad  New business models: create new routes to financial sustainability  Parents will do for their children what they won’t do for themselves: from CSAs to financial inclusion

Leading us into the Future: Children’s Savings Accounts Creating a culture of savings over the lifetime by starting early with an account and financial education.

Register Today! The 2012 Assets Learning Conference: Ideas Into Action September 19-21, 2012 Marriott Wardman Park Hotel, Washington, DC. Visit: