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Consumer Resource Center

Money Smart for Small Business

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Money Smart for Small Business (MSSB) provides an introduction to topics related to starting and managing a business. MSSB was developed jointly by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) and the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). The materials are available for immediate download at Money Smart – Teach – For Small Business.

This instructor-led curriculum consists of 13 modules in English and Spanish that can be downloaded or ordered in CD format.

MSSB trainings for aspiring and existing entrepreneurs are conducted by the members of the Money Smart Alliance. A list of members may be helpful to find available training and assistance near you, although the list does not include all of the organizations that use Money Smart.

MSSB is designed to be delivered to aspiring or existing small business owners by staff from financial institutions, small business development centers (SBDCs), women's business centers, city/county economic development offices and others. The curriculum is a tool for bank-community partnerships. No certifications are required to use the curriculum. Ideally, MSSB instructors have experience in the delivery of training, technical assistance or coaching to small businesses.

Download (catalog.fdic.gov) the Top 10 Reasons to use MSSB flyer.

Training Modules

MSSB is free of copyrights and can be edited by users to meet the needs of any audience. The modules are:

Click column headings to sort in Ascending or Descending order.

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Money Smart for Small Business Train-the-Trainer

This serves as a self-help resource for organizations that want to train their Money Smart Small Business instructors. It includes an Instructor Guide, Participant Guide, and PowerPoint slides.

Contents are designed for a three-hour class including the following features:

  • Overview of all MSSB Modules.
  • Deep-dive into the MSSB Cash Flow Module.
  • Money Smart Small Business Modules Matrix
  • Tips to help instructors design their Money Smart Small Business program, and
  • How to combine Money Smart Small Business modules.
  • Event agenda and invitation templates.

Documents (catalog.fdic.gov):
Instructor Guide
Participant Guide
PowerPoint Slides

Alliance Members Town Hall Meetings

FDIC facilitates collaboration between Money Smart Alliance members who use Money Smart for Small Business (MSSB) through a Quarterly Town Hall Webinar. Joining the Money Smart Alliance is highly encouraged but not a requirement to participate in these one-hour events. Webinars are hosted by FDIC and SBA representatives and usually feature at least two speakers. This program is free but registration is required.

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Other FDIC Small Business Resources

  • The FDIC encourages bank lending to creditworthy small businesses. Small businesses that may have an inquiry or concern about the availability of credit can contact the Small Business Hotline: 1-855-FDIC-BIZ (1-855-334-2249)
  • The FDIC Small Business Lending web page provides information that may be of interest to organizations and financial institutions working with small businesses, for example research on small business lending.

Additional Links

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Money Smart Alliance

Learn, collaborate and grow with FDIC’s recognized organizations that use Money Smart.

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Teacher Online Resource Center

Here you will find tools to help you teach financial education including lesson plans, videos, and other resources

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Train-the-Trainer Program

Provides guidance with videos, workshops, and webinars

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Training & Events

Announcements of upcoming Money Smart events for Train-the-Trainer and Small Business events

Last Updated: February 15, 2024