In a world where geopolitical tension keeps the headlines buzzing, markets change direction faster than the spring weather and the price of a tank of gas feels like it should come with a financing option, at least one thing is trending in the right direction: financial confidence.
And this April, for Financial Literacy Month, Regions is shining an extra-bright light on the financial education efforts that equip our communities with the tools, resources and guidance they need to build – and maintain – that confidence year‑round.
Investing in people’s financial confidence helps individuals and contributes to local economic health. Leroy Abrahams, head of Community Engagement at Regions
In periods of global instability, shifting markets and evolving career paths, financial education isn’t just helpful – it’s essential. At Regions, our shared value commitment drives efforts to equip people across life stages with the tools to navigate uncertainty and prepare for a brighter future.
“At Regions, our commitment to Shared Value is not just philanthropic,” said Leroy Abrahams, head of Community Engagement at Regions. “When everyone in our community has the opportunity to succeed, it strengthens economic participation and community stability. The Regions Next Step curriculum and our outreach programs address real needs. Investing in people’s financial confidence helps individuals and contributes to local economic health.”
Some groups in our community are more vulnerable to volatile economic conditions than others and Regions is ready to assist.
Today’s Students are Tomorrow’s Workforce, Parents and Community Leaders
It may seem like young people are insulated from economic volatility, but students today are entering a world shaped by rapid labor-market shifts, evolving career paths and emerging technologies, such as AI – all of which affect their future financial stability. Regions understands that students of all ages need a strong foundation in financial literacy to prepare for any scenario.
During Financial Literacy Month, Regions is offering several hands-on programs to help students build that foundation, including:
- April 1 and April 6 – Career & Financial Readiness Workshops: These sessions are designed to help college and university students strengthen resumes and prepare for life after graduation. Panelists will cover job readiness, paycheck and tax basics and saving and investing strategies.
- April 9 – Houston: Regions associates will deliver a Reality Check budget simulation to students at Nimitz High School, helping them understand real‑world financial decision‑making.
- April 10 – Indianapolis: Associates will join the Indianapolis Indians at Victory Field for a day of financial education a behind-the-scenes tour with the Pittsburgh Pirates’ Triple-A affiliate.
- April 17 – Palm Beach Gardens, Fla.: Associates will participate in Gator Tank, a student challenge modeled after a televised entrepreneurial pitch format. Students will research a career, explore education pathways, create a realistic budget and present their work to a panel of volunteer judges
- April 29 – Salt Lake City: Associates will support Junior Achievement’s Our City program, introducing third‑grade students to concepts of community, collaboration and the economy through interactive activities. From city‑building to sustainable design to simulated financial choices, students learn how individual decisions shape broader community outcomes.
Year‑round, Regions continues supporting students through the Regions Next Step program – including 10‑minute courses, podcasts and a deep library of articles on Regions.com that help learners strengthen their financial knowledge at any stage.
Homebuyers Face Higher Interest Rates and Low Inventories
Homeownership remains one of the most significant financial milestones, offering long‑term wealth‑building potential, stability and protection from rising rental costs – even in a challenging market. But even in the best of circumstances, buying a home is complex. And today, potential homebuyers are navigating a market marked by higher interest rates and historically low housing inventories.
These challenges are especially significant for individuals and families purchasing their first home, many of whom are trying to balance long‑term financial planning with rising day‑to‑day expenses.
To help demystify the process, Regions and United Way of Central Alabama are hosting a free financial workshop, The Road to Homeownership on April 8. Led by Regions Community Mortgage Loan Officer Ronald Gettridge, the session (both live and virtual) will address some of the most common questions and concerns future homebuyers face, including:
- What are my first steps?
- How do my credit and other factors affect my ability to obtain a loan?
- What is the mortgage lending process?
- Who are the people that work with me and support me along the way?
- What programs are available to assist me?
By breaking down the process and answering questions directly, Regions aims to empower first‑time buyers with the knowledge they need to make confident, informed decisions – even in a challenging market.
Throughout the year, Regions hosts a Homeownership Resource Center on Regions.com that includes guidance, tools and resources from Regions Next Step – all free of charge.
Small Businesses Deal with Inflationary Pressures and Supply Chain Disruption
Small business owners today are navigating a challenging environment marked by high inflation, rising operational costs and ongoing difficulty hiring and retaining talent. Many are also grappling with reduced consumer demand, supply chain disruptions and limited access to capital as interest rates remain elevated.
Regions understands that small businesses are vital economic engines in every community, and providing guidance alongside products, services and resources is a core part of the bank’s commitment to Shared Value. An example is Regions’ involvement with the recently launched Entrepreneurship Center for Growth and Excellence, which brings together tools and partnerships to help accelerate small-business growth in Birmingham.
Regions is proud to support entrepreneurs at every stage of their journey by providing education and resources, so they can make informed decisions and confidently grow their business. Keren Treme, Regions Financial Education trainer
Financial education also plays a central role in helping business owners make informed decisions. On April 7, Keren Treme, Regions Financial Education trainer, will lead a virtual financial wellness workshop for 35 small business owners in collaboration with the Arkansas Small Business and Technology Development Center (ASBTDC). The session will focus on credit for small businesses, a top-of-mind topic for many owners.
“Financial empowerment plays a vital role in helping small business owners move their vision forward,” Treme said. “Regions is proud to support entrepreneurs at every stage of their journey by providing education and resources, so they can make informed decisions and confidently grow their business.”
Beyond workshops and events, Regions supports small businesses year‑round through its Next Step financial wellness curriculum, which includes free seminars, articles, calculators, podcasts and other tools designed to help entrepreneurs protect, support and grow their business.
People in Transition Impacted by Rising Costs
Individuals navigating major life changes such as job loss, becoming unhoused, being justice‑impacted, divorce, widowhood or retirement, often face heightened financial strain as rising costs make it harder to regain stability and plan for the future.
Regions is committed to meeting people where they are, offering practical financial education and one‑on‑one support that helps individuals in transition build confidence, manage essential expenses and take meaningful steps toward long‑term financial well‑being.
For many years, Regions has worked with Metro ReEntry to deliver financial education courses as part of the organization’s program supporting justice-impacted individuals in the Atlanta area. Former program participant Preston Townsend credits Regions and the Next Step curriculum with helping him build a strong financial foundation following his release.
“Regions’ support meant more than words can describe,” Townsend said. “Weekly financial literacy classes gave me the push I needed to continue my financial wellness journey.”
Through the program, Townsend gained a better understanding of saving, investing and the purpose of different financial accounts – tools that he says have helped him plan not only for today, but for the future. He is now employed full-time at a shipping company and continues to apply what he learned.
Weekly financial literacy classes gave me the push I needed to continue my financial wellness journey. Preston Townsend
“Preston’s journey is a powerful reminder of why financial education matters,” said Cecilia Bailey, Financial Education manager at Regions. “When people are given knowledge and encouragement – and someone who believes in their potential – they can rebuild, move forward and create lasting stability. Seeing Preston’s continued success is exactly what the Next Step program is designed to support.”
Beyond in-person outreach, Regions also offers year-round support through its Financial Hardship Resource Center on Regions.com, which provides tools and guidance to help individuals and families navigate unexpected life events that impact their finances.
Financial literacy isn’t abstract – it shows up in everyday decisions, especially when markets fluctuate and economic conditions shift. This Financial Literacy Month, Regions is highlighting the work we do year‑round to help people at every stage of life build confidence, strengthen resilience and move forward with clarity – no matter what the economy brings.
For more information about Regions’ new and enhanced resources highlighted during Financial Literacy Month, see this article on Doing More Today.
Regions associates D’Anna Olive, Blair Liggins, Deno Posey, Cecilia Bailey and Kimberly Reece shared insights with Alabama A&M students during Financial Literacy Month.