Relationship with dfree® Financial Freedom Movement delivers financial education in the greater New York area

(Black PR Wire) – NEWARK, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Prudential Financial, Inc., (NYSE:PRU) today announced an agreement between its Individual Life Insurance, Annuities and Prudential Advisors businesses and the dfree® Financial Freedom Movement to help individuals in the Greater New York area through financial education to help protect their family’s financial future. This independent community-based financial education program was developed by Dr. DeForest B. Soaries, Jr., senior pastor of the First Baptist Church of Lincoln Gardens in Somerset, N.J., and creator and founder of dfree.

The announcement, which was made during an event hosted by Bridge Street AME Church at Brooklyn Borough Hall earlier today, marks the launch of a financial education initiative that aims to empower people to create a healthy financial future for themselves and their loved ones through valuable advice from and engagement with Prudential financial professionals.

“Prudential has a rich history of deep relationships with diverse community-based organizations,” said Rodney Branch, senior vice president and chief marketing officer, Prudential Annuities. “This agreement with dfree is an extension of our efforts to engage at the local level and help more people address their financial challenges.”

According to Prudential’s most recent African American Financial Experience survey, the African American community remains optimistic and continues to demonstrate financial confidence, with 52% of those surveyed considering themselves to be very well-prepared to make wise financial decisions. The survey also noted that reducing debt – especially credit card debt - remains a top financial priority for more than half of respondents. The African American Financial Experience is one in a series of biennial studies focused on the financial attitudes and behaviors of diverse markets.

The dfree Financial Freedom Movement offers a training program designed to help individuals improve their financial situation, such as becoming debt-free and take more control of their money.
“We’re looking forward to working with the dfree team and excited about the value this program can bring to the New York area and communities we serve,” said Donna Guglielmi, managing director of the Empire City Financial Group with Prudential Advisors. “Our financial professionals are skilled in working with clients at all different stages of their lives, including those in the rebuilding phase, participants with insurance needs and others who are looking for investment and income strategies.”

In addition to the greater New York area, the program launched last year in Indianapolis and in June of this year in Washington, D.C. To date, the program is being implemented in more than 30 churches and community groups through this joint effort. Prudential will also be a leading sponsor of the dfree® third Annual Financial Freedom conference which takes place October 31, 2015 at First Baptist of Lincoln Gardens in Somerset, N.J.

“Prudential’s commitment to the African American community complements the work that dfree is doing as we continue to build upon the number of churches and pastors that offer financial education to their members,” said Dr. Soaries. “We are proud to work with Prudential and value the strength it brings to the communities throughout the U.S.”

Prudential will also be a leading sponsor of the dfree® fourth annual Financial Freedom conference which takes place October 31, 2015 at First Baptist of Lincoln Gardens in Somerset, N.J.
dfree® is an independent program dedicated to providing financial education and empowering participants to change their perspectives related to money, alter behaviors and taking ownership of their financial future. For more information, please visit www.mydfree.org and www.billiondollarpaydown.com.

Prudential Financial, Inc. (NYSE: PRU), a financial services leader, has operations in the United States, Asia, Europe, and Latin America. Prudential’s diverse and talented employees are committed to helping individual and institutional customers grow and protect their wealth through a variety of products and services, including life insurance, annuities, retirement-related services, mutual funds and investment management. In the U.S., Prudential’s iconic Rock symbol has stood for strength, stability, expertise and innovation for more than a century. For more information, please visit http://www.news.prudential.com/.

dfree™ and Financial Freedom Movement™ are trademarks of the Corporate Community Connections, Inc., which is not affiliated with The Prudential Insurance Company of America or its affiliates, Newark, NJ. Each company is solely responsible for its own financial condition, content, liabilities and contractual obligations.

The Prudential Insurance Company of America Newark, NJ.

“Prudential Advisors” is a brand name of The Prudential Insurance Company of America and its subsidiaries.

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