By PAULA TRACY, InDepthNH.org
CONCORD – Investor literacy is the goal of a new state initiative aimed at educating the general public on how to safely grow their money.
A free, 68-page book, “New Hampshire Investor Guide” published in both English and Spanish, was unveiled Thursday by the Secretary of State’s office complete with a glossary with definitions for “glide path,” “load” and “expense ratio” that can make many novice investors’ eyes roll when they meet with a broker for the first time.
The investor guide is also available online at https://www.investsmart.nh.gov/ or can be ordered by calling 603-271-1463. There is no cost.
Secretary of State David Scanlan, together with his director of the Bureau of Securities Regulation, Barry Glennon, hosted a joint press conference to unveil the publication.
This is the first time such a book has ever been put together by the state.
There have been brochures in the past but this is the first comprehensive publication for avoiding financial fraud, Scanlan said.
Glennon said that investment fraud has been increasing in recent years.
Most notable was the FRM Ponzi scheme which left investors robbed of millions of dollars. A $10 million fund was voted in by the legislature and signed by Gov. Chris Sununu to help victims recoup some of their money.
The attorney general has refused to identify who will be receiving money from the fund.
