ABA Foundation programs call for banker volunteers to join growing, industry-wide efforts designed to help local communities
The American Bankers Association Foundation today launched its 2020 financial education registration campaign, calling on banker volunteers to register for a range of successful, industry-wide programs designed to enhance financial education across the country. In its continued effort to build financially resilient communities, the ABA Foundation has set a new goal for 2020 – to reach one million consumers with its banker-led financial education lessons.
The first ABA Foundation initiative in 2020 is Teach Children to Save. Teach Children to Save is a national campaign launched by the ABA Foundation in 1997 that encourages bankers to visit schools or youth groups in their local communities to introduce or augment learning about money and real-world financial concepts. Teach Children to Save also includes lesson plans that teach students what banks do, how they support local communities and what skills are needed to become a banker. Last year, 9,850 bankers reached approximately 330,700 students through Teach Children to Save.
Teach Children to Save Day will be celebrated on April 24, but bankers can hold their lessons throughout the year.
Registered bankers will receive real-time customer support, program and communication materials, and will be featured in a list of participating banks on the ABA Foundation’s website.
“The ABA Foundation programs are a fantastic opportunity for banks across the country to share financial knowledge with members of their community,” said Rob Nichols, ABA president and CEO. “With the help of America’s banks, we can reach one million people this year and help put consumers on a path toward a lifetime of smart financial decision making.”
When registering for Teach Children to Save, bankers are encouraged to register for the ABA Foundation’s other 2020 financial education initiatives:
- Get Smart About Credit, now in its 18th year, is a campaign of volunteer bankers who visit classrooms across the country to help teens and young adults learn how to use credit wisely. Bankers also teach students about protecting their identity, managing their money, paying for college and the various careers available to them through the banking industry. Although Get Smart About Credit Day is celebrated in October, bankers are encouraged to also give lessons throughout the year.
- Safe Banking for Seniors. Launched in 2015, this national campaign of volunteer bankers helps older customers and their financial caregivers understand and mitigate the risks of fraud and financial abuse.
Curriculum for all three programs are available in both English and Spanish.
In 2018, the ABA Foundation launched FinEdLink – a free web tool designed to connect community groups and schools with local bank volunteers available for a visit. Groups interested in having a banker make a presentation on Teach Children to Save, Get Smart About Credit or Safe Banking for Seniors can simply submit the request at aba.com/FinEdLink. The web tool will pair the requester with a bank volunteer in the local area. To learn more about FinEdLink and how to register, visit aba.com/FinEdLink.
“We hope community organizations, educators and bankers alike will take advantage of this ABA Foundation resource and help us in our effort to reach a million consumers this year,” said Corey Carlisle, executive director, ABA Foundation.
Since 1997, the ABA Foundation’s financial education initiatives have reached 11.1 million young people through more than 350,000 banker presentations. The ABA Foundation encourages bankers across the country to participate in these industry-wide initiatives in addition to individual financial education and philanthropic efforts carried out every year by America’s banks.
This year, the ABA Foundation’s financial education programming will be sponsored by Ally Financial, Bank of America, BB&T, Citi, JPMorgan Chase, US Bank and Wells Fargo.
Interested banks should register at aba.com/FinEd or call 1-800-BANKERS for more information.