Happy February! We hope the first month of the year was a smooth transition into 2026 for everyone. This month, we have a lot of resources to share along with upcoming webinars, month-long and week-long campaigns, and much more!
As a reminder, please share with us any highlights, updates, or events you would like to share with the more than 23,000 people receiving the WFEN updates. When you have something you'd like to share with the network via this monthly email update - please send it to [email protected] with the subject line "Proposed WFEN content."
If you’re not already following DFI’s social media accounts, please do! We’re working to grow our networks in addition to promoting your great work.
- X: https://x.com/dficonsumers
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wastatedfi
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wadfi
- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/WADFI
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/state-of-washington-department-of-financial-institutions
- Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/wastatedfi.bsky.social
As a reminder, DFI's outreach coordinator Nathan Spiecker provides financial education workshops statewide - in both English and Spanish! If you are looking for someone to help provide outreach in your community, contact Nathan at [email protected] or fill out a presentation request form.
Dating or Defrauding
In coordination with multiple federal, state, and nonprofit organizations, the Commodity Futures Trading Commission’s (CFTC) Office of Customer Education and Outreach launched a national awareness effort to alert the public about relationship investment scams targeting Americans through wrong-numbered texts, dating apps, and social media.
This social media awareness campaign will warn Americans to be skeptical of any request from online friends for cryptocurrency, gift cards, wire transfers, or other forms of payment. Other warning signs include:
- A prolonged inability to meet in-person.
- Moving conversations off social or dating platforms to encrypted messaging apps.
- Repeated suggestions for investments or requests for money.
The campaign runs the week leading up to Valentine's Day, so be on the lookout for CFTC and DFI social media posts to like/share!
February is Financial Aid Awareness Month
WA529 - the Washington Education Savings Plans - reminds us that February is Financial Aid Awareness Month. This month, explore resources to make financial aid easier to navigate, including:
- FAFSA & WAFSA: Apply for Financial Aid | WSAC
- Financial Aid FAQs: Financial Aid Frequently Asked Questions
- Mythbusters: FinAidFeb: Mythbusters
Interested in WA529? Visit their website to learn about education savings plans!
Office of State Treasurer Financial Wellness 101 Workshops
In partnership with WorkSource of Thurston County, the Office of the State Treasurer provides financial Wellness workshops in an effort to enhance financial education and empower individuals in Washington. These workshops educate participants on financial goal setting, budgeting, saving, credit management, and identity theft prevention and awareness. Attendees can participate either in person at WorkSource of Thurston County or online, making it accessible to people across the state. By equipping individuals with essential financial knowledge this partnership contributes to building a financially resilient community.
February webinars:
|
Financial Wellness 101 - Part B: Credit & Debt: Monday, Feb. 9 @ 9-11 a.m. |
|
|
Financial Wellness 101 - Part C: Consumer Cautions: Wednesday, Feb. 18 @ 9-11 a.m. |
March webinars:
|
Financial Wellness 101 - Part A: Budgeting: Monday, March 2 @ 9-11 a.m. |
Online Registration |
|
Financial Wellness 101 - Part B: Credit & Debt: Monday, March 9 @ 9-11 a.m. |
Online Registration |
|
Financial Wellness 101 - Part C: Consumer Cautions: Monday, March 16 @ 9-11 a.m. |
Online Registration |
Financial Wellness Series with Office of State Treasurer and Pierce County Library System
In partnership with the Pierce County Library System, the Office of the State Treasurer will be providing an IN-PERSON evening series of workshops at several libraries across Pierce County. These workshops are an effort to make financial education more accessible to the community, leveraging trusted public spaces to empower residents with practical tools for managing money and building financial resilience.
Workshops provided at multiple locations listed below:
| TOPIC | DATE/TIME | LOCATION |
| Identity Theft Prevention & Awareness |
Feb. 24 1:00 - 2:30 p.m. |
Key Center - Pierce County Library |
| Investing: A Non-Advisory Overview of Facts |
March 3 5:30 - 6:30 p.m. |
Lakewood - Pierce County Library |
| Starting a Business |
March 9 5:45 - 6:45 p.m. |
Lakewood - Pierce County Library |
| Starting a Business |
March 10 1:00 - 2:30 p.m. |
Key Center - Pierce County Library |
| Credit & Debt |
March 24 1-3 p.m. |
Key Center - Pierce County Library |
Join FEPPP and EconEdLink for Professional Development Webinars!
Financial Beginnings is offering a new series of free, live online Community Drop-In Classes — open to anyone looking for practical, real-world financial guidance.
Sessions will cover everyday topics such as:
- Budgeting and spending habits
- Managing debt and understanding credit
- Preparing for taxes and reviewing employer benefits
- Saving for college, retirement, or major life milestones
- Reviewing insurance coverage and planning for seasonal expenses
Whether you're just starting your financial journey or looking to sharpen your existing knowledge, these sessions are designed to be approachable, informative, and easy to access.
Upcoming sessions:
- Feb. 17 @ 12 p.m.: Tax Preparation & Planning
- March 17 @ 12 p.m.: Insurance & Financial "Spring Cleaning"
Financial Education Teacher Training Opportunity
The Financial Education Public-Private Program (FEPPP) is excited to offer a free, one-day K-5 personal finance and economics teachers training.
FEPPP is partnering once again with the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia to provide a training tailored specifically for Washington State educators. You'll walk away with ready-to-use lessons you can plug directly into your classroom - no adaptions needed.
- When: March 28, 2026 at 8:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
- Where: Seattle Pacific University, Seattle, WA
Join FEPPP and EconEdLink for Professional Development Webinars!
Join the "From Pop Culture to Policy: Personal Finance in the News" webinar on Feb. 10 from 2-3 p.m.
Teachers will be able to:
- Examine current events for connections to personal finance and economic concepts such as consumer behavior, markets, and risk.
- Interpret news stories through a personal finance lens to guide meaningful classroom discussions.
Join a Financial Empowerment Network Workshop!
The Financial Empowerment Network (FEN) offers 10-12 free, virtual training workshops each year. These workshops are geared towards any professional working to increase the financial well-being of their clients or community members, no matter their level of comfort with personal finance. You don’t have to be a financial professional to attend – everyone is welcome!
Here are their upcoming events:
- 4th Wednesday Monthly @ 2-3 p.m.: WA Financial Coaching Network
- Feb. 18 @ 10 - 11:30 a.m.: NIFF-ty Finance: Neuroinclusive Financial Education
- Feb. 24 & 25 @ 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.: Financial Coaching for Prosperity Training
- March 17 & 18 @ 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.: Financial Coaching for Prosperity Training
|
| STAY CONNECTED: | ||||||
 |
 |
 |
 |
|||
SUBSCRIBER SERVICES:
Manage Preferences | Unsubscribe All | Subscription Help | Contact DFI
| This email was sent to [email protected] using GovDelivery Communications Cloud on behalf of: Washington State Department of Financial Institutions · 150 Israel Rd SW · Tumwater, WA 98501 |  |