Sometimes an important article doesn't make Page 1, as was the case on Tuesday with a report on Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke's taped remarks kicking off a conference sponsored by Chicago's Federal Reserve Bank and Visa.

The article appeared on Page 12 of that day's Butler Eagle along with other business news. The article's headline provided the central point to Bernanke's comments, which dealt with financial literacy.

The message was that people need to sharpen their financial skills, especially within the context of the current economic crisis.

"As the global economy continues to experience extraordinary turbulence . . . the need has never been greater for initiatives that help consumers learn to manage their money wisely," Bernanke told the conference.

In addition, he reminded conference attendees that improving financial knowledge also can help protect people from scams. With that in mind, the Fed in March launched an effort to warn consumers about foreclosure scams.

Regarding the conference, Bernanke said the plan was to discuss "best practices" in financial literacy and how they can be applied to a rapidly changing and globally interconnected financial landscape.

But for average consumers and banking customers, a basic thought that should be kept in mind is to read and ask questions.

For example, pamphlets about banking products and services that are available in financial institutions aren't displayed just for show. They're there to help people with important financial decisions.

Likewise, people with questions beyond what is addressed in the printed material should not hesitate to ask questions. If a teller is unable to answer a question, there are other personnel and branch managers who can either provide the answer or obtain it quickly from someone else or other resources.

No one should endanger his or her financial well-being by making a wrong decision that could be avoided by asking a couple of questions to clear up confusion or a lack of familiarity about a financial issue.

Again, as Bernanke said, people need to sharpen their financial management skills. And, that advice is part of the reason and justification for asking questions.

People trust banks with their money and their financial security. They should be able to trust that the information they receive from their banks is accurate, reliable and presented in an understandable way.

In today's financial marketplace, there is a wide array of products from which to choose. As Tuesday's article noted, to make smart decisions, people need to shop around and make sure they understand the pros and cons of any financial choice from taking out a mortgage to selecting a certificate of deposit.

Many people usually don't think that comments from the Federal Reserve chairman apply directly to them, but in this instance they do.

As the turbulence in the nation's financial sector continues, it is critical that people hone their understanding of how the financial markets and banking system work.

It is important for people to realize the role that misunderstood mortgage details played in the current financial crisis. Many people didn't truly understand the mortgages to which they agreed in order to buy homes they couldn't afford. As a result, many of those homeowners are dealing with the possibility of foreclosure, or already are involved in such proceedings.

Financial literacy is more important than ever before. Bernanke's advice is important, regardless of where that advice appeared in newspapers and other media.