FinanciallyLIT In School
Let’s be real… If schools teach algebra, which most of us barely use, then schools should teach kids how to budget, invest, and manage debt.
Here’s how we can better integrate financial literacy into education:
Mandatory Financial Literacy Classes. Schools should include money management basics like budgeting, credit, and investing as early as elementary school. Early exposure to these concepts ensures students are ready for deeper financial complexity once they enter adulthood.
Hands-on Learning. Schools can introduce budgeting apps, mock stock portfolios, and real-world financial simulations to make learning engaging. Interactive activities help students see the benefits of financial literacy and teach them to make informed financial decisions.
Collaboration with Banks & Community Programs. Partnerships with banks can offer students real-world exposure to savings accounts, interest rates, and loan management. This real-life experience helps bridge the gap between theory and practice, taking hands-on learning to the next level.
Our Learning Legacy: I Got Bank!
At OneUnited Bank, we’re taking financial literacy for young people into our own hands. Through our I Got Bank program, we provide kids with the incentive and knowledge they need to take charge of their financial futures.
Our annual national financial literacy contest gives ten children the opportunity to win a $1,000 savings account, kickstarting their financial literacy journey.
We also offer a free “I Got Bank” E-Book, written by our President and COO, Teri Williams, helping kids learn fundamental money concepts through the engaging story of Jazz Ellington, a young boy whose grandfather teaches him the importance of saving and growing wealth.
How do you enter?:
- Kids aged 8-12 must read a financial literacy book of their choice.
- Then submit either a 250-word essay or an art project showcasing how they would apply what they learned.
- Winners receive $1,000 savings accounts to jumpstart their financial journey!
This is how we invest in the future of our youth—by making financial literacy accessible, engaging, and rewarding for the next generation.
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Financial literacy is as essential as any other form of education. Whether at home or in school, money lessons should be an accessible part of every child’s upbringing. By empowering kids with financial knowledge early, we help them make smarter decisions, avoid financial pitfalls, and build wealthy habits.
Start the conversation with your kids and get #FinanciallyLIT today!
