Scoring Financial Goals: Chelsea FC's US Tour in Partnership with FICO

As I look at the recent success Chelsea FC is having on the pitch, it reinforces for me the importance of mission alignment, clarity of goals and building a strong culture in delivering successful outcomes. Here at FICO, we are mission aligned, have clarity of objective and are building a strong set of partnerships to promote financial literacy and awareness to drive financial empowerment and independence. One of these partnerships is with Chelsea FC, and we recently concluded a highly successful series of engagements with the world-renowned Chelsea Football Club during their pre-season U.S. summer tour to promote financial literacy in the cities they visited.

As I reflect on our joint engagements, I couldn't help but be proud of the enthusiasm our Fields of Financial Empowerment campaign generated among students who were eager to delve into the intricacies of credit management and overall financial well-being. The summer had seen students across the U.S. engage with a thirst for knowledge about their financial health.

Financial literacy is a cornerstone of personal empowerment and financial health. The ability to grasp the nuances of credit, navigate financial matters, and make informed decisions holds the power to transform lives. It was eye opening to learn that one in five U.S. teenage students lacked basic financial literacy skills and that roughly 74% of teens aren’t confident in their financial knowledge. Interacting with these young minds, witnessing their eagerness to learn about financial literacy, and later seeing them relish a Premier League soccer match in their hometown was truly rewarding.

Throughout the partnership, FICO and Chelsea FC hosted a series of “Score A Better Future Fundamentals” financial education workshops designed for high school students in the cities where Chelsea FC played during the tour, including Chapel Hill, North Carolina; Atlanta, Georgia; and Chicago, Illinois. Over 250 students left these workshops equipped with essential knowledge required to help them make prudent credit decisions as they embark on their journey toward financial well-being. What's more, they had the unique opportunity to spend time with current and former Chelsea FC players and attend an electrifying match. In our final stop in Chicago, Becky Worley from Good Morning America took a moment to highlight the impact FICO and Chelsea FC had on U.S. communities.

Watch highlights of our Chicago visit on Good Morning America: ‘New program helps ‘kick off’ financial literacy journey’.

FICO also held similar workshops for adults in these communities as part of our “Score A Better Future” program. Attendees gained an understanding of the significance of FICO® Scores in lending decisions, the key factors that constitute a FICO Score, and practical educational information on financial health. The events also dispelled myths, clarified facts about FICO Scores, and shared insights on their FICO Score, ensuring attendees left with accurate and empowering information.

For an in-depth discussion on FICO's commitment to financial literacy and inclusion, don't miss my interview with Rachel Malak and Chris Bohinski: FICO is here, there, and everywhere as they team up with Chelsea Football Club

FICO's strategic partnership with Chelsea FC played a pivotal role in spreading the message of financial literacy and financial inclusion, providing vital educational resources across several communities in the U.S. Score A Better Future and Score A Better Future Fundamentals programs are helping close the financial literacy gap by empowering individuals of all ages to take control of their financial future.

How FICO Advances Financial Literacy

• Learn about FICO’s credit empowerment programs, Score A Better Future and Score a Better Future Fundamentals
• The Perfect Credit Score: Understanding the 850 FICO Score
• Top 5 Scores Posts of 2022: Steady FICO Score, BNPL and Alternative Data