Recommended Resources for General Investment Information
Websites:
FINRA
Financial Industry Regulatory Authority’s website has
information for consumers who are investors, such as investment
choices, consumer protection, and background checks on the
credentials and history of people working as investment
professionals. This organization’s primary focus is
to train and monitor investment professionals across the United
States. However, they also have information for the
investors themselves. FINRA is also is the
sponsoring organization that provided the grant money for “Smart
Investing @ Your Library”.
Washington State Department of Financial Institutions
Often called simply “DFI”, this is Washington state’s
organization that regulates and examines a variety of state
chartered financial services. This includes banks, credit
unions, investment advisors, mortgage brokers, and payday
lenders. Their Consumer section on the website has Alerts about
recent frauds and scams in the state, education on financial
topics, a way to submit a complaint against an organization or
professional, and a search to verify a state license.
Yahoo Finance
Part of the greater Yahoo website, this section focuses on
investment information related to stocks, mutual funds, personal
finance such as budgets and mortgages, how-to guides and news
articles on related topics. It also has a Portfolio
function where you can set up your own account to track stocks
and mutual funds, whether you have actually purchased them or
not.
Investopedia
An online dictionary / encyclopedia of financial terminology.
Also has tutorials at the Beginner, Advanced and Active Trader
levels. Look on the left side for navigation buttons to
the dictionary and tutorials. (Warning: to bypass the
initial fullpage ad, click on “Direct to Investopedia.com” at
the top of the window.)
Rutgers University
A basic investing home study course, including topics :
Investing Basics, Finding Money to Invest, Stock, Mutual Fund
and Tax-free (retirement) Investing, Finding Help, and Fraud.
North American Securities Administrators Association
NASAA’s website has an Investor Education tab at the top,
which includes investor awareness, alerts and bill of rights,
and other education resources. Has a special area for Senior’s
and
Your Money: A Guide to Reaching Your Financial Goals
The Guide introduces the world of investing and provides direction for
learning basic financial investment skills for making short, medium and
long term financial decisions. There are eleven Information Modules plus Worksheets prepared by Lightbulb Press for the
FINRA Investor Education Foundation
Timberland Regional Library serves Grays Harbor, Lewis, Mason,
Pacific, and Thurston counties in Western Washington State.
