A great opportunity for bankers is set for April 29. And while it’s more than two months away, registration is underway for banks who want to get involved in Teach Children to Save Day. Last year, more than 14,000 bankers from across the nation visited classrooms, hosting financial education events. Banks that register for the 2016 event get access to the Teach Children to Save resource page. This includes school and parent outreach letters, presentation lessons, student activities, publication tools and communication and promotional items.
For more information on developing a financial literacy program in your community, or to register your bank and get materials for the ABA’s Teach Children to Save initiative, visit the ABA website at aba.com, or contact Jeni Pastier at [email protected].
For community banks who want to start a financial education program in your community, the American Bankers Association offers some ideas. At bankmarketingcenter.com, we have a few of our own:
The ABA offers these wonderful ideas for getting your bank’s financial education initiative off the ground:
- Make the most of your existing community connections. Reach out to family, friends and educators you know. Offer to serve as s guest speaker in the classroom (like an economics class), or some after school activity (Junior Achievement, Boy/Girl Scouts). Offer workshops on savings and early financial planning.
- Kids want to know, “What’s in it for me?” Talk to them in terms they understand about creating a bright financial future, starting NOW.
- Offer the program to rising high school seniors as an “early graduation present,” to help prepare them financially for the “real world.”
- Meet with educational leaders, like the local board of education, PTA, or teachers’ groups to present the program and its benefits. In smaller communities, speaking to these groups as part of a regular meeting agenda may also open the door to media exposure for your program.
- Visit with service organizations – like Rotary, Kiwanis or the Pilot Club, to talk about your program. This is a great resource to network with local business and community leaders who may jump at the chance to come alongside and help with the community effort.
- Involve businesses who cater to the youth market. For example, a popular pizza, burger or coffee spot may be delighted to partner for a day to encourage savings.
- Target underserved or low-income areas in your community. Contact United Way -funded organizations that work with young people, especially in low-income areas. Reach out to other groups outside the schools, like The Boys & Girls Clubs or Habitat for Humanity who would benefit by the Teaching Kids to Save initiative.
- Form partnerships with organizations like Adopt a School or the local or statewide Jump$tart Coalition for Personal Financial Literacy. Also reach out to colleges, universities, military bases and the like to offer education programs to those constituencies, students or new recruits.
- Publicize: Share your program and its goals through advertising, media and good, old-fashioned retail “campaigning” to everyone you meet. Press releases, community calendars, speeches, public service announcements on local television and in social media work. Also when all is said and done, share your successes with the community, your state banking association and the ABA Community Engagement Foundation.
- A couple of thoughts from bankmarketingcenter.com:
- Set up a booth at a college or career day, or area job fairs that target groups you want to reach.
- In smaller communities, high school sporting events, concerts, plays — any event that draws a crowd– offer great venues for booths or information tables. There is the additional benefit of face-to-face contact with potential customers. And, it communicates that you care.
