CreditSmart by Freddie Mac is a free online finance training tool for homeowners in need of tutorials and information to better their financial profile. The program was created with current and future homeowners in mind, and offers an online portal where users can learn more about how their financial picture affects their ability to borrow.
The online portal has a variety of modules, like those with tips about building and improving personal credit, shedding light on why a savings account matters, and just general tips about how homeowners can make better choices about their individual financial situations.
CreditSmart is especially effective because the tutorials and modules are conveniently accessed online. Borrowers can use the online training at their leisure, and curriculum topics are designed to assist a broad range of users. They include everything from obtaining a mortgage and budgeting to closing a loan, avoiding foreclosure, and more.
Adds Christina Diaz Malone, VP of corporate relations and housing outreach for Freddie Mac, “Our new online CreditSmart tutorial is a stepping stone to homeownership, especially for working families who are unsure how to start household budgets or build the personal savings and strong credit for the future. Today’s announcement underscores Freddie Mac’s commitment to help America’s next generation of borrowers achieve long-term financial stability.”
The program was created as a collaboration between Freddie Mac and five historically black colleges and universities. It’s been around since 2001, and to date, over 3,000,000 people have taken advantage of it in 44 states. Homeowners who are interested in using the curriculum can access it via lenders, schools, churches, nonprofits, and other institutions.
