As the doors opened at Junior Achievement Finance Park inside the McWane Economic Education Center in Birmingham, the moment represented more than just a new learning hub. It marked the culmination of decades of work by retired Regions Bank CFO David Turner and others committed to expanding financial literacy.
I am honored that it is really about the 20,000 kids that it is going to help every year. Finance Park teaches students about financial literacy and how to make real-world decisions about money.David Turner
Retired Regions CFO David Turner stands inside a simulated Regions Bank branch.
Days before the public grand opening of the center, Regions Bank associates recently gathered for a soft opening of J A Finance Park presented by Regions. Birmingham television news station WBRC 6 was on location to broadcast the intimate ribbon cutting live during its midday newscast. It offered a first look at a once-familiar Regions employee parking lot that has been transformed into an immersive financial education facility.
Junior Achievement is a nonprofit dedicated to preparing young people for financial success. Through its programs, students explore career pathways, build workforce readiness skills, and develop a foundation in financial literacy, business and entrepreneurship. “It is absolutely imperative that young people understand the world is full of opportunity — and the responsibility of managing money and a household,” said Chip Reed, president of Junior Achievement.
In the early 2000s, Turner helped Regions begin its longstanding community partnership with JA when he began serving on the advisory board. Soon after, the idea of a dedicated educational center took shape.
On my first day with JA 13 years ago, David Turner shared a vision to build a financial education facility in downtown Birmingham. It’s great to see that vision become a reality.”- Chip Reed, president of Junior Achievement Alabama.
Take a closer look inside JA Finance Park presented by Regions. In this walk-and-talk takes viewers through the immersive space and explains how it prepares students for real-world financial decisions.
The collaboration has also included associate-led classroom instruction, participation in fundraising efforts and service on organizational boards. The bank sold Junior Achievement the land where the new education center now stands and contributed $1 million toward the construction of the facility. The Finance Park sponsorship represents the next chapter in Regions’ commitment to JA.
A simulated bank branch anchors JA Finance Park presented by Regions.
Beginning this fall, JA Finance Park Presented by Regions will come to life as older middle school students in Birmingham and beyond step into real-world roles, making decisions that mirror the financial responsibilities they will one day face.
“I cannot wait for students to experience this,” said Tiko Russell, a Birmingham-based Regions associate and longtime volunteer. “They’re going to walk away with so much knowledge and real-world experience.”
WBRC Reporter Jeh Jeh Pruitt interviewed Regions associate Tiko Russell, a longtime Junior Achievement volunteer.
Students will move through the facility as members of a simulated community, each assigned a career, salary and family scenario. They will visit storefronts modeled after local businesses to make financial decisions, build a budget and balance competing priorities. At the Regions station, a simulated bank branch, students will apply for mortgages or auto loans, gaining firsthand experience with decisions many will face in adulthood.
Each element of the center was intentionally designed, down to its physical orientation. The space faces downtown, offering a direct line of sight to nearby businesses and reinforcing the opportunities available within the community.
Each year, the Junior Achievement McWane Economic Education Center is expected to serve thousands of students from across Alabama, providing access to resources many may not otherwise encounter. For many participants, the experience will offer an early introduction to economic responsibility and independence. Early financial literacy can help students become more confident, informed and better prepared to contribute to society later on.
In addition to serving thousands of students, the center will create daily opportunities for 40 to 50 community members to engage directly with and inspire the next generation. For those who have worked with Junior Achievement, it is especially rewarding to witness moments when students gain a clearer understanding of financial concepts.
For Turner, the experience reflects the vision he first shared years ago. At the soft opening, Regions recognized Turner’s retirement and longstanding commitment by presenting a $100,000 donation in his honor.
With its doors now open, JA Finance Park stands as both a tribute to long-term vision and a meaningful investment in the financial futures of students across greater Birmingham.
Regions Bank leaders Gina Sian and Lajuana Bradford stand inside JA Finance Park Presented by Regions.
As the program launches this fall, community members, educators, and Regions associates are encouraged to engage with the new JA center as it expands its reach. As participation grows, the program is positioned to become a cornerstone of financial education, equipping students with the confidence and skills to navigate their financial futures.
