FREMONT, MI (April 29, 2013) Students at Fremont High School, Hesperia High School and White Cloud High School met with Representative Jon Bumstead and Gerber Federal Credit Union President/CEO John Buckley as part of the Michigan Credit Union League & Affiliates’ 10th Annual Financial Literacy Legislative Challenge.
This collaborative event is held each April in conjunction with Financial Literacy Month and Money Smart Week (April 20 - 27), and brings together lawmakers, students, and financial professionals. It is a unique partnership which serves to build relationships between Michigan legislators and their constituents while providing students lifelong financial skills.
Gerber Federal Credit Union President/CEO John Buckley commented “The opportunity to get in front of the next generation and explain the value of savings, being responsible in the use of credit, and the benefits of the credit union structure all make these appearances most worthwhile. We also discuss the links between advocacy, government and the economy. Representative Bumstead and I enjoy the give-and-take with the students and I invariably learn something myself!”
Michigan’s credit unions are national leaders in youth financial education, reaching nearly 47,000 students during the 2011-2012 school year and organizing more than 375 student-run credit unions across the state – the most in the country.
“Financial education has never been more important,” said MCUL & Affiliates CEO David Adams. “School kids today are growing up in a time of record-high personal debt and foreclosures. Credit unions are committed to reversing that trend and bettering their communities, and one way we do that is by encouraging financial literacy. We’re proud to bring lawmakers into the classroom for the Financial Literacy Legislative Challenge as we work together to further that goal.”
April’s Financial Literacy Month includes a variety of local workshops and programs put on by financial institutions across the state. In 2013, Michigan credit unions will host or sponsor dozens of events in schools and communities statewide.
Gerber Federal Credit Union has more than 13,000 members with assets totaling over $123 million. Over 120 businesses have partnered with Gerber FCU to offer the benefit of credit union membership to their employees, volunteers and family members! For membership details, visit www.gerberfcu.com/youbelong. Gerber FCU has two offices located in Fremont, MI, one in Newaygo, MI and one in Fort Smith, AR. Connect with us on Facebook, Linkedin and Twitter.
Organized in 1934, the Michigan Credit Union League is a statewide trade association representing roughly 95% of Michigan’s credit unions. Based in Lansing, the MCUL offers credit unions assistance in the areas of regulatory compliance, legislative advocacy, media advocacy and operational information. For more information, visit www.mcul.org and follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/MICreditUnions and Twitter at www.twitter.com/MICreditUnions.