First National Rio Grande Sponsors 2016 Money Smart Week(R) Throughout New Mexico April 23-30, 2016

ALBUQUERQUE, NM--(Marketwired - Apr 19, 2016) - April is Financial Literacy Month, and First National Rio Grande is the proud title sponsor of the 2016 Money Smart Week in New Mexico, with classes and seminars taking place throughout New Mexico offering free financial education on a wide range of topics, from student loans to mortgages to establishing credit. Due to the week's success in Southern New Mexico in past years, this year marks the first year that free classes will also be offered in the Albuquerque and Santa Fe areas. Classes are open to people of all ages and offered in English and Spanish.

"Bringing Money Smart Week to more areas in New Mexico is an important milestone for us," said Shirley Hitson, senior vice president and commercial banker, First National Rio Grande. "Having the opportunity to promote financial literacy in New Mexico allows us to use our expertise to help our neighbors, which in turn betters our entire community. These classes give participants tools they can use throughout their lives to successfully manage their finances, and we could not be prouder to be a part of Money Smart Week."

Money Smart also encompasses the Junior Achievement Program, where volunteers teach five interactive lessons in one day at local schools. The program focuses on promoting financial literacy, entrepreneurship and workforce readiness to youth.

Money Smart Week is the broadest and most comprehensive financial education program in the country. Started in 2002 in Chicago by the Federal Reserve and supported by the FDIC with just 40 programs, it has expanded significantly to become the only national educational program for people at all stages of life. Thousands of free financial education classes and seminars for consumers will be held throughout the U.S. during Money Smart Week, April 23-30.

For more information on Money Smart Week, please visit www.moneysmartweek.org.

About First National Rio Grande
First National Rio Grande is a division of First National Bank of Santa Fe. Chartered in 1870 as the first bank in the Southwest, First National Bank of Santa Fe has a rich heritage of community commitment and financial strength and stability. With $1.7 billion in assets (as of December 31, 2015), First National is the largest locally chartered banking organization in the state of New Mexico operating as First National Rio Grande and First National Santa Fe. In Colorado, the Bank operates as First National Denver. To learn more, visit www.firstnationalriogrande.com.