The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) on October 5, 2026, hailed the 2026 update to the U.S. National Strategy for Financial Literacy. The agency said the update underscores its commitment to helping Americans develop practical skills to make sound financial decisions, build greater financial security, and pursue economic opportunity. Comptroller of the Currency Jonathan V. Gould said that when Americans understand how the financial system works, they are better equipped to save for the future, protect themselves from fraud, and fully participate in the economy.
The strategy outlines goals from the Financial Literacy and Education Commission (FLEC) for advancing financial literacy and education across the United States. It establishes four priority areas and identifies best practices for delivering effective financial education, including providing actionable and timely education at key financial decision points, tailoring education to life stages, reinforcing concepts over time, incorporating experiential learning, supporting high-quality instruction, and evaluating program effectiveness. The strategy was developed through consultation with FLEC-represented agencies, public input, and independent research.
The OCC's endorsement signals continued federal coordination on financial capability, with the agency pointing to its own consumer resources, including Safe Money materials, as part of that effort. FLEC was established by the Financial Literacy and Education Improvement Act, Title V of the Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act of 2003, and provides a forum for federal entities to coordinate and increase access to financial services.
The OCC release does not specify which four priority areas the 2026 update establishes, nor does it detail funding, implementation timelines, or measurable targets. The full strategy is available through the OCC announcement, but the release itself leaves open how the update will be operationalized across agencies or how effectiveness will be assessed over time.