ABA Education Foundation
Improving Your Community Through
Financial Education
abaef.com
l 1-800-BANKERS
Partnering with Bankers to Promote Financial Literacy In 1925, the American Bankers Association created a Foundation for Education in Economics to commemorate its 50th anniversary. In 1992, after refining our mission, we became the American Bankers Association Education Foundation, a 501 (c)(3) affiliate of ABA. Our dual mission is to help bankers become personally involved in providing financial education to the communities they serve, and to develop resources that enable them to do this. Foundation programs empower banks to fill the need for financial education while giving bankers at all levels an opportunity to shine. By involving bankers in financial education delivery, more young people have been introduced to banking even though their families may be unbanked. Our partnership helps make banking more accessible to consumers of all ages, creates a natural bridge between education and action, and encourages youth and their families to open children’s savings accounts.
abaef.com l 1-800-BANKERS
I’ve always believed the greatest consumer protection is financial literacy‌ Teach Children to Save provides authentic, in-person experiences that produce lasting memories for both the bankers and students. Stephen P. Wilson, Chairman and CEO, LCNB National Bank, Lebanon, Ohio
Helping Children Build Their Financial Futures The ABA Education Foundation is the only entity
Each year, more than 1,300 banks connect with hundreds
founded and funded by bankers that promotes banker-
of thousands of young people through our national
delivered financial education. Our programs engage banks
programs, Teach Children to Save and Get Smart About
of all sizes, from large multinational and regional banks
Credit. To date, more than 130,000 banker volunteers
to single-branch community banks. Results driven, we
from financial institutions of all asset sizes have introduced
measure our programs’ successes against annual goals
some 5.9 million young people to the money management
for increased bank and youth participation.
skills they will need to realize their dreams.
abaef.com l 1-800-BANKERS
Bankers play an important role in creating financially healthy individuals and families. We understand money and banking, and we’re a trusted resource in our communities.
Stacey Hoskins Beeler, President and SEO, Casey County Market of Monticello Bank, Liberty, Kentucky
Designing National Programs with Local Impact The Foundation’s programs are anchored by annual awareness days, but teaching occurs throughout the year. Bankers are encouraged to customize their participation to the local needs of their communities. Teach Children to Save
Get Smart About Credit
Held each April, Teach Children to Save Day promotes
Get Smart About Credit Day is held annually on the third
the importance of saving early and often. Banker
Thursday of October. Bankers visit high schools, colleges
volunteers teach lessons in classrooms and in youth
and youth groups to help young adults understand the
centers that focus on how, why and where to save. Since
importance of using credit wisely. Lessons also touch
its inception, the program has recruited some 108,000
on issues that go hand in hand with credit use, such as
banker volunteers and reached more than 5 million young
preventing identity theft, credit reports and scores, and
people. New features are added to the program each
budgeting. Since 2010, the Foundation has partnered
year to keep the message fresh. Recent initiatives have
with the National Foundation for Credit Counseling’s
included a TCTS Million Child Challenge, which recorded
Protect Your Identity Week program to encourage
1,008,874 children in 2009, the Race to Save campaign
outreach to adults as well as youth. To date, 22,000
that opened 61,302 new children’s savings accounts in
volunteer bankers have taught more than 840,000 young
2011, and an ongoing video contest, Lights, Camera,
adults. Visit aba.com/GetSmart for more information.
Save! Visit aba.com/Teach for more information.
Personal Finance 101 Kits For adult learners, the Foundation offers Personal Finance 101 kits, which cover basic banking skills: budgeting, checking accounts, credit, mortgages and saving. Each kit comes with 50 student workbooks, a teacher’s guide, worksheets and a Power Point presentation. This resource is perfect for an in-branch lesson or a joint initiative with a community development organization.
abaef.com l 1-800-BANKERS
Helping Raise Your Bank’s Financial Education Profile in the Community Designed for banks of all asset sizes,
Take advantage of the opportunities we offer to broaden
our turnkey resources help you implement the financial
your bank’s image in the community while bringing
education outreach strategy that is right for your bank.
youth into the formal financial system and promoting
Participating banks enjoy access to these benefits:
responsible money management. Participation in
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One-on-one consultations with Foundation staff experts
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Nationally recognized programs customizable for the markets you serve
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Program resource kits that include financial education lesson plans developed in partnership with curriculum and banking experts, with step-by-step directions for reaching out to schools and youth groups
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Free training, to make program participation easy
Foundation programs is a great way to demonstrate corporate social responsibility to the community, civic leaders and the media—your efforts may also qualify for CRA credit. To get involved, contact the American Bankers Association Education Foundation at edufoun@aba.com or 1-800-BANKERS.