A Is for Alpha, B Is for Bernanke...

On the heels of an emergency cut in interest rates by the Federal Reserve and with Congress trying to hammer out at a stimulus program, the focus of late has been on finding immediate solutions to the economic slowdown.

But thanks to the National Foundation for Credit Counseling we are reminded that instilling positive financial values for tomorrow is just as essential as putting out fires today.

The foundation announced today that it is again sponsoring the "Be Money Wi$e" National Poster Contest, which seeks to get children to start thinking about financial literacy at an early age.

Fittingly, the theme for the 2008 Contest is "Financial Responsibility Begins with Me" - a mantra which should be just an instructive to hedge fund managers and risk management officers as to their children.

The boy or girl who best translates financial smarts into creative poster design this year will flown to Washington and presented with a $500 U.S. savings bond.

The submission deadline for poster entries will be in early March 2008, but before you reach for your crayons—only students in the 12th grade and Below need apply.

Perhaps Merrill or Citi will spearhead a Wall Street version?

by Liz Gunnison