Boys & Girls Club Learns About Finances

Wells Fargo staff are teaching Boys & Girls Club members about budgeting, saving and money management. The volunteer effort is connected with the American Bankers Association’s “Teach Children to Save Campaign,” and in celebration of National Financial Literacy Month, last month. The Wells Fargo team held workshops at the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Redlands-Riverside’s San Bernardino location and some Riverside locations, and will do presentations at the Club’s other locations in the next few weeks. Wells Fargo uses the “Hands on Banking” curriculum, a free program that teaches children, teens and adults the basics of responsible money management, including how to create a budget, save money, and wise spending. According to Boys & Girls Club staff in Riverside and San Bernardino, the Wells Fargo presenters engaged youth and spoke at their level. Members at the San Bernardino location also related the material to what they’re learning in the Club’s Money Matters financial literacy program. “We’re grateful for partners like Wells Fargo who act on the importance of teaching youth about money,” said Club vice president Mark Davis. Jack Olree, Wells Fargo’s vice president of community relations for the Inland Empire, said that teaching young people about finances “is a great honor for the Wells Fargo team because we believe it is never too early for young people to begin learning the building blocks that will help them make smart financial decisions as they get older. Learning the basics of budgeting, saving, and money management in an engaging way can help pique their curiosity and set them on a course for life-long learning and ultimately financial success.” He continued, “Research suggests that kids and teens have many questions about money, so it’s critical that we tap into that interest as soon as we can. If our kids develop good financial habits early, it can certainly impact their behavior when it comes to managing their money as adults. Despite the fact that most adults deal with money in some way, on a daily basis, few states mandate financial education. It’s important to all of us at Wells Fargo that our team members do our part to help our children, and ultimately our communities succeed financially. “Visiting the students at schools and nonprofits such as the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Redlands-Riverside is a small step, but it could play a huge role in helping to shape the future financial success of our communities,” Olree said.