Youth Deposit Record Savings in April

In our strongest year yet, we saw $28,545,722.81 deposited into 146,002 youth accounts. Also, youth opened 9,058 new accounts at the 305 participating credit unions that reported results for the 8th National Youth Saving Challenge™.

Credit unions had the option to run the Challenge for any week or the entire month of April. The majority (60%) ran Challenges for the entire month. The rest opted to run Challenges in conjunction with Youth Week.

How does this year compare? Well, fewer credit unions participated, but average deposits were higher. Take a look at the eight-year results history.

Next week, I'll be sending final participation results to your state leagues, but for now you can see a list of all the credit unions that reported results. My compliments go to the Michigan and Pennsylvania leagues for their strong showings with nearly 30 credit unions from each state participating.

Why Do We Have a Youth Week?

“Youth Week is a great way to get our youth fired up about savings and to remind them that we are here for their financial needs. Our staff looks forward to helping them set goals and assisting them in their future.”
     -Annette Samaniego, Dynamic FCU

"We hold Youth Savings Week because we understand the importance of teaching the next generation the Power of Saving! Our children know very well, how to spend money, everybody and anybody's money! We have to be proactive in making sure they understand the importance of saving for the future, rainy days, and investing in themselves!"
      -LeWana Britt, Mt. Zion FCU

"Our credit union celebrates Youth Week to reach, teach, and encourage youth to learn about and save money. There has been a big gap in financial education for many years, and this is an opportunity to reach our young people. They certainly aren’t going to learn it by osmosis when they graduate from high school, but many of them will be stepping out into the Real World at that time, so we need to catch them before then and give them some guidance. Who better than credit unions?"

     -Judy Jett, Central Missouri Community CU
 

 “National Credit Union Youth Week gives credit unions the opportunity to reach out to the youth in our communities, teaching them about financial literacy in a fun and exciting way. It allows us to build a strong foundation for the financial future of our communities.” 

     -Kendra Handke, Oregon Community CU

And the Saving Challenge Winners Are...

• Emma, age 6, of Gig Harbor, Wash., from American CU
• Kylee, age 9, of Roseburg, Ore., from Cascade Community CU
• Ethan, age 6, of Hewitt, Texas, from Educators CU
• Alexander, age 18 months, of Caledonia, Mich., from Grand Valley Co-Op CU
• Olivia, age 8, of Jacksonville, Fla., from Jax FCU
• Cullen, age 8, of Lutcher, La., from Louisiana FCU
• Emily, age 9, of Silverton, Ore., from Maps CU
• Malloree, age 13, of West Enfield, Maine, from Penobscot County FCU
• Dylan, age 3, of Spokane, Wash., from PrimeSource CU
• Larkyn, age 4, of York, Pa., from York Educational FCU

Winners are also listed online.

Young Savers at 1st Community CU	$100 Winner Kylee at Cascade Community CU