Dr. Collins Professor Recognized for Outstanding Service and Research to Advance Investor Protection and Financial Capability in the U.S.
WASHINGTON – The FINRA Investor Education Foundation (FINRA Foundation) announced the 2017 recipient of the inaugural Ketchum Prize for outstanding service and research to advance investor protection and financial capability in the U.S.
The Foundation’s Board of Directors awarded Dr. J. Michael Collins the Ketchum Prize during its triannual board meeting, which took place in Washington, DC, on September 13. An associate professor of public affairs and human ecology at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Dr. Collins also serves as the faculty director of the Center for Financial Security and as the Fetzer Family Chair in Consumer and Personal Finance at the university. The Center conducts research and provides services to help individuals and families improve their financial outcomes.
“As the recipient of the inaugural Ketchum Prize, I am pleased and honored to accept this prestigious award. The FINRA Foundation’s recognition draws attention to our efforts to build financial capability and security for families, especially those for whom every financial decision is critical to their well-being,” states Collins.
Dr. Collins studies consumer decision-making in the financial marketplace, including the role of public policy in influencing credit, savings and investment choices. His work also includes the study of financial capability with a focus on low-income families and other vulnerable populations.
The Cincinnati native holds a master’s degree from Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government, a doctorate from Cornell University, and a bachelor of science degree from Miami University (OH).
“The Foundation is honored to carry forward the legacy of Rick Ketchum by recognizing innovative and thoughtful approaches to helping families manage their household balance sheets to increase their financial capability,” said Gerri Walsh, President of the FINRA Foundation. “Dr. Collins’ groundbreaking research is helping to advance our understanding of financial capability in America, particularly among groups that have been historically underrepresented. His work is having a profound impact on the efforts of advocates, educators and policy makers seeking to improve outcomes in their local communities and regions.”
About the Ketchum Award
The Foundation’s prize is named for Richard “Rick” Ketchum, who retired as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) and Chairman of the FINRA Foundation in 2016. Ketchum is well-known and admired for his distinguished leadership in the field of securities regulation over a career spanning three decades.
Following his retirement, the FINRA Board of Governors and the FINRA Foundation Board of Directors took steps to perpetuate Ketchum’s vision and achievements by endowing an annual $10,000 prize to honor researchers and educators who have made major and uncommon advances toward improving investor protection and financial capability in the United States.
About FINRA
The FINRA Foundation supports innovative research and educational projects that give underserved Americans the knowledge, skills and tools to make sound financial decisions throughout life. For more information about FINRA Foundation initiatives, visit finrafoundation.org.
The Foundation is now accepting nominations for the 2018 Ketchum Prize. The nomination form and complete details are available at www.finrafoundation.org/ketchumprize.
FINRA, the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, regulates all securities firms doing business in the United States. FINRA is dedicated to investor protection and market integrity through effective and efficient regulation and complementary compliance and technology-based services. FINRA touches virtually every aspect of the securities business – from registering and educating all industry participants to examining securities firms, writing rules, enforcing those rules and the federal securities laws, and informing and educating the investing public. In addition, FINRA provides surveillance and other regulatory services for equities and options markets, as well as trade reporting and other industry utilities. FINRA also administers the largest dispute resolution forum for investors and firms. For more information, please visit www.finra.org.
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