AP to create financial literacy beat team

The Associated Press plans to create a financial literacy beat team to help reach a younger, less affluent, and racially and ethnically diverse group of Americans, including people of color, Spanish speakers, and middle and lower-income households.

The team will produce written stories, visuals and graphics, and in multiple languages. It will also work to equip AP customers with data and ideas on localizing personal finance stories in their communities.

The effort is supported by Charles Schwab Foundation, a private foundation that is separate from The Charles Schwab Corp.

AP retains complete editorial control of all content.

“There is a crisis of financial illiteracy in the U.S. that is taking place against a backdrop of widening wealth inequality,” said Noreen Gillespie, AP global business editor, in a statement. “As government programs that bolstered Americans’ finances during the pandemic begin to fade away, many vulnerable individuals are likely to experience fresh challenges. Now more than ever, it is paramount for AP to build a team dedicated to personal finance journalism that speaks to a truly diverse audience.”