RALEIGH, N.C. – State Employees’ Credit Union (SECU) brought home two top honors from the National Youth Involvement Board (NYIB) Conference. Continuing a seven-year winning tradition as a major financial literacy advocate for North Carolina students, SECU received first place team awards for the Highest Number of Students Reached by a Team (66,561) and the Highest Number of Presentations Given (707). Team SECU won the awards in the category of credit unions with assets of $1 billion or more.
SECU has been an active participant in NYIB conferences for years, highlighting its successful partnerships with North Carolina educators, state agencies and non-profit organizations across the state to help teach children and young adults about spending, budgeting, saving, career development and other financial topics.
SECU said it uses a variety of educational resources, including its in-house FAT CAT program for children 12 and under, the Zard® program for teens and young adult presentations geared for college students. In addition, outside curricula is provided through Biz Kid$, Reality of Money financial simulation activities for 8th-12th graders and the National Endowment for Financial Education High School Financial Planning Program.
SECU Member Education and Outreach Manager Kelli Holloway is NYIB’s South East Regional Coordinator and represented State Employees’ Credit Union at the Conference. “It’s very exciting to have our cooperative’s efforts recognized on the national level,” she said. “SECU has hundreds of trained staff members throughout the state who deliver financial education presentations in local schools and communities on a regular basis. The results reflect the Credit Union’s dedication to helping youth of all ages realize the importance of managing money.”
“Collaboration is the foundation of the credit union movement and an essential part of the success of NYIB now and for years to come,” remarked Mandy Clayton, NYIB Chairman and Director of Financial Education at FivePoint Credit Union. “We are grateful for teams like SECU, and we commend their enthusiasm and commitment to arming North Carolina’s young citizens with the education needed to help them become financially successful adults. We appreciate the Credit Union’s ongoing support and offer our congratulations to State Employees’ Credit Union for their winning accomplishments!”
At right, Member Education and Outreach Manager Kelli Holloway with SECU’s team awards.