Georgia credit unions aim to help young members picture their future throughout the month of April in celebration of the Credit Union National Association’s (CUNA) National Credit Union Youth Month™ with the 2019 theme: “The future is yours…Picture it! Save for it! Share it!”

National Credit Union Youth Month™ is an annual campaign sponsored by CUNA and celebrated by credit unions across the U.S. through the promotion of financial literacy, education and responsible financial management practices to America’s youth.

Research shows individuals who begin an early habit of envisioning and recording their goals are more likely to achieve future goals as adults. The 2019 National Credit Union Youth Month™ theme intends to encourage young credit union members to start this habit by writing down their dreams and goals, documenting those goals through photos and then sharing those visions for their future with their friends, family members and loved ones.

“Georgia credit unions are committed to financial literacy from the ground up. Many offer special accounts and services tailored to even our youngest members to help them appreciate money management early on,” said Mike Mercer, president and CEO of Georgia Credit Union Affiliates. “Although we promote youth financial education all year long, the month of April provides an opportunity for credit unions around the nation to use their collective voice to truly emphasize its importance and how credit unions can play an integral part in helping young members realize a life of financial freedom.”

To celebrate National Credit Union Youth Month™, many Georgia credit unions will use fun and engaging content and host special activities in their branches for youth to learn fundamental financial management practices. Other credit unions will offer financial incentives to encourage youth to open credit union savings accounts and/or make deposits into their accounts to establish a consistent savings habit.

Some credit unions plan to participate in the annual, CUNA-sponsored “National Youth Saving Challenge,” whereby young credit union members are encouraged to put as much money into savings as possible. The participating credit union with the best savers will receive a $1,000 grand prize so it can award 10 of its youth members with $100 each.