Today, First National Bank of Omaha representatives and Nebraska State Treasurer Don Stenberg visited Wilson Focus Elementary School in Omaha to teach students about the importance of saving and awarded $1,000 scholarships to two students. The event was part of Money Smart Week and Teach Children to Save Day.
Kevin Langin, Senior Director Public Relations and Communications, First National Bank of Omaha, opened by speaking about the long-term benefits of learning to save and spend wisely at a young age, including being more likely to attend college, having more self-control and having a better outlook on life. Langin also discussed First National Bank’s ‘Teach Children to Save’ campaign, which has taught financial skills to thousands of children across seven states.
Treasurer Stenberg told students to start saving money when they are young and never spend more money than they have. He also introduced the event’s main attraction: a Ben Franklin character who talked to the children about managing and saving money.
Joanna Swanson, Head of Direct Sales for NEST 529 College Savings Plans, First National Bank of Omaha, presented all students with NEST529 backpacks that included financial education materials. Two students—Aniyah Williams and Deja Hubbard—were surprised to find that each of their backpacks contained a $1,000 contribution to a NEST 529 College Savings Plan account, furnished by First National Bank of Omaha, NEST Program Manager.
“As Trustee of NEST, I want to encourage all of you – with help from your parents and teachers – to start learning about saving, budgeting, and spending wisely as soon as you can. Then when you get to middle school and high school, you can take classes to learn even more. And when you get to college and start your first jobs, you will be able to make good financial decisions,” Treasurer Stenberg said.
“We hope the children who attended today’s event left with a few savings tips in mind, particularly on how important it is to save for college,” Swanson added. “First National Bank of Omaha was thrilled to give $1,000 contributions to Aniyah and Deja today. With their NEST 529 College Savings Plan accounts jumpstarted, they are one step closer to their college dreams.”
Created in 1997 by the American Bankers Association, Teach Children to Save is a national program that encourages bank volunteers to help young people develop savings habits. Financial education is a key piece of First National Bank of Omaha’s commitment to community development, and the bank has historically been active in Teach Children to Save Day.
The visit to Wilson Focus Elementary School kicked off a number of savings lessons that 125 bank volunteers will deliver to 4,300 youth at 65 schools from mid-April to early May.
Families can find more information about how to save for their children’s educational needs at NEST529.com and treasurer.nebraska.gov.
