Financial Literacy Month, at least officially, may be observed in April. But, Regions Bank believes in building financial wellness year-round.
Still, this past Financial Literacy Month provided extra opportunities to go into communities served by the bank and give children the building blocks for financial success.
In Mississippi, Metro Jackson associates held four events over two days teaching kids how to count coins and appreciate the value of money.
Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Mississippi
“If I was given one word to describe the impact of the work that Regions Bank is having inside of our Clubs as you’ve presented financial education and ‘reality check’ events, I would say ‘transformative.’”
Those are the words of Othor Cain, the vice president of strategic partnerships for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Mississippi.
Myer Mack of Regions had this to say:
“No matter your age, and no matter how much – or how little – you have, the time to plan for your financial future is always now.”
That’s why sharing financial wellness with young students is so crucial. Mack, who serves as Regions’ Institutional Trust business strategist and co-chair of the bank’s local Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Network, joined 16 Regions colleagues to talk budgets and savings with children served by the Boys & Girls Clubs.
No matter your age, and no matter how much – or how little – you have, the time to plan for your financial future is always now.
Institutional Trust Business Development Officer
They followed up with the middle and high school students with a Reality Check event later in April to put what they learned into practice. During the Reality Check, students were assigned a career and had to make real-life choices regarding the best options based on their prepared budgets for housing, transportation, food, utilities, savings, and unexpected events.
“It’s one thing to know about budgeting from an informational perspective,” Mack said. “It’s another thing to put it into practice. The Reality Checks really drive it home. And more than that, these students know they can turn to places like Regions and our local teams for one-on-one guidance and advice over time.”
Jackson Public Schools
“We are so proud and grateful for the extra efforts on the part of our associates to make life better in the communities we serve,” said LoRose Moore, community development manager for Regions in Mississippi.
Moore shared how the learning continued with visits to Jackson Public Schools. This is a long-standing collaboration where Regions Bank teams go directly into schools and provide financial education, leaving a lasting impression.
An early understanding of how money works can go a long way in helping students build a bright financial future.
Pamela Weaver, Southwest Jackson Branch Manager
Southwest Jackson Branch Manager Pamela Weaver led this effort, coordinating events at Bates Elementary and Viola Lake Elementary schools.
“Students learned the importance of knowing how to count currency, including coins, while also getting a greater understanding of the value of money,” Weaver explained. “Some may think elementary-aged students are too young to learn about finances. But we think it’s the right time to start. An early understanding of how money works can go a long way in helping students build a bright financial future.”
