More than 12,500 bankers will host financial education events across the country this week in celebration of Teach Children to Save Day on April 20. Since 1997, Teach Children to Save and the ABA Foundation’s financial education initiatives have reached approximately 10.3 million children through nearly 313,000 banker presentations.
In a Teach Children to Save classroom lesson, bankers teach students the fundamentals of financial literacy through age-specific activities and interactive scenarios. The lessons cover the basics of saving, as well as how to create a budget and distinguish needs from wants.
“One of the most fundamental components to creating jobs, economic growth and prosperity is a labor force that understands economics and personal finance,” said Rob Nichols, ABA president and CEO. “Our nation’s banks are dedicated to building that foundation for hundreds of thousands of young people, and I appreciate their continued support of Teach Children to Save.”
The ABA Foundation will mark the day with staff volunteers presenting financial literacy lessons to 2nd through 5th grade students at a local elementary school in Washington.
“While we celebrate Teach Children to Save Day every April, financial literacy is a civic priority for bankers all year long,” said Corey Carlisle, ABA Foundation executive director. “We’re proud of their efforts to educate local students about important money management skills. It’s just one more way they are supporting their communities.”
More than 530 banks of all sizes and charters will host Teach Children to Save events this year. Click here for the full list: Bank Participation List.
“Teach Children to Save is a great opportunity for bank employees to connect with students in our community and introduce them to the fundamentals of financial literacy,” said Erica Opstad, SVP, national manager, community relations, U.S. Bank and chairman of the ABA Foundation board of directors. “Our hope is that these important lessons will resonate with the children we reach for years to come.”
The Teach Children to Save program is generously supported by its national sponsors: Citi, Fiserv, U.S. Bank and Wells Fargo.
The American Bankers Association is the voice of the nation’s $17 trillion banking industry, which is composed of small, regional and large banks that together employ more than 2 million people, safeguard $13 trillion in deposits and extend nearly $10 trillion in loans.
Through its leadership, partnerships, and national programs, ABA’s Community Engagement Foundation (dba ABA Foundation), a 501(c)3, helps bankers provide financial education to individuals at every age, elevate issues around affordable housing and community development, and achieve corporate social responsibility objectives to improve the well-being of their customers and their communities.