Building Financial Futures: The Power of a Financial Education Learned Early
Growing up, my father had a significant influence on how I thought about saving for the future. I remember him telling me that saving even 10 cents a day could change my life over time. While I confess I was not that disciplined, I am grateful that he instilled the importance of money management early on.
That’s why I’m so proud of Citi’s participation in the American Bankers Association Foundation’s Teach Children to Save (TCTS) campaign. As the banking industry’s largest volunteer initiative, TCTS brings together banking professionals across the U.S. to visit classrooms, after-school programs and community centers to help empower the next generation with essential financial skills for a strong future.
The foundational lessons of budgeting and saving can be instrumental in a young person’s future. Those who gain these skills are better positioned to unlock lasting economic opportunities. However, despite how essential these habits and skills are, access to financial education isn’t universal. Efforts to expand access are so important, and every child deserves the tools to succeed.
In April, in honor of National Financial Literacy Month, my team in California worked with community organizations across the state on the TCTS campaign. Alongside Junior Achievement and PUENTE Charter School, we delivered financial education workshops to children across Los Angeles, where students deepened their knowledge and confidence in money management. What stood out most to me was how those as young as six or seven were able to understand saving practices. Together with a school principal, we performed a skit about how much money it takes for a parent to buy a toy or go on vacation. Before we finished the day, a student kindly brought me a dollar bill and asked me to make sure his parents put it in his bank account. What a memorable moment!
Across the country, Citi volunteers and community organizations have continued to step up — from leading financial workshops at Citi Field in New York, to teaching students in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, and Gray, Tennessee, to helping classrooms across South Florida engage students with lessons on money management.
“It was rewarding to hear students' ideas on why saving money is important. In addition to having fun, we harnessed our more than 50 combined years of experience at Citi and taught students how to set goals and take control of their own financial futures. Our team of Citi volunteers had very positive experiences, and many have already expressed how excited they are to return to the classroom next year.”
-Jenny Carroll (Process Re-Engineering Senior Lead) and Melanie Mills (Citi Shop Product Manager), Citi volunteers and co-chairs of the Citi Sioux Falls Women’s Network
“With my background in banking, I loved bringing my enthusiasm and skills into the classroom to spark conversations about saving. The students asked thoughtful questions that showed just how ready they are to start building smart money habits.”
- Anna Davila, VP, Business Development Officer, Strategic Markets, Los Angeles/Ventura
I’ve come to discover that financial education is a community-wide effort. Whether you’re a teacher, parent or mentor, we all have a role to play in helping young people feel confident about managing money. Simple actions like volunteering time or sparking open conversations about money can lead to effective, life-changing habits. As the TCTS activities continue this year, I look forward to more opportunities to strengthen financial education within the communities we serve. Together, we can share knowledge that inspires the next generation of savers.