16 HќќѠіђџȱ юћјђџ юџѐѕȱ2014 FEATURE BȱĴȱȱȂȱǰȱ teens in states across the country must gain relevant experience and ȱȱę¢ȱȱ driving a car. That process can mean classroom training and instruction, keeping a log of hours driven with an adult in the car, plus spending hours behind the wheel with a trained instructor. The goal is to ensure that, when they do hit the road, young drivers will be less likely to harm themselves and others. Prepared with an understanding of the rules of the road, plus respect for fellow drivers and pedestrians, they are enabled to make good decisions independently. The end ȱȯȱ ȱȱȯȱęȱ all. ȱ ȱ¢Ȃȱęȱȱ programming works much the same way. By providing children with ȱȱȱȱęǰȱ and by encouraging starter savings accounts, banks give tomorrow’s adults the knowledge and experience they need to safely manage money. This preparation is a critical building block to helping them meet their ęȱȱȱȱȯȱȱ¢ȱ a house to retiring comfortably. Help- ȱȱȱȱęȱ goals is what banks do. If your bank has not yet engaged ȱęȱǰȱ ȱȱ you to explore the American Bankers Association’s annual Teach Children to Save program. It is a popular and turnkey way to share lessons about the importance of saving and managing money – lessons that banks have delivered to six million youth since ABA created the program in 1997. This year’s Teach Children to Save Day is April 11. Bankers across the country have registered to make school presentations on that day and throughout April, which is also being celebrated as Financial Capability Month. (For a list of participating banks, and for free lesson plans and other resources, visit www.aba.com/ Engagement.) This program allows bankers to accomplish several worthy goals at once. By visiting school classrooms, youth centers, after-school programs and more, you and your colleagues provide practical lessons and share knowledge to encourage and inspire young people to develop healthy, ȱęȱȱǯ ȱ ȱȱȱĴȱ¢ȱȱȱ to use to help address a serious prob- ȱȱȱȱȯȱȱȱęȱ know-how — that could threaten the economic stability of America. The ŘŖŖŞȱęȱȱȱȱ¢ȱ lessons, one of which is the importance of an informed consumer, able to distinguish a prudent, appropriate loan from one that is not. Finally, your participation helps demonstrate two important truths about the industry: That local bankers are there to help customers in all of their families’ milestone events; and that banks have a stake in the economic growth, health and vitality of their communities. These are two features of banking that consumers, through surveys and focus groups, have told ABA they value, so let us highlight those facts. You have probably heard me say that I view banking as a white-hat industry. Banks are critical to the success of communities across America. In fact bank community engagement is critical to the success of our nation’s economy. Teach Children to Save is one of several ways ABA tries to drive that point home. I hope you will take part and, in the process, help the next generation safely navigate the road to ęȱǯȱȱ Teaching Sound Financial яќѢѡȱѡѕђȱ Ѣѡѕќџ Frank Keating was named president and chief ¡ȱĜȱȱȱAmerican Bankers Association in 2011. His appointment followed seven years of service as president and CEO of the American Council of Life Insurers and after serving two terms as governor of Oklahoma. Keating’s 30-year career in law enforcement and public service included stints ȱȱ ȱǰȱ ǯ ǯȱĴ¢ȱȱȱǰȱ and Oklahoma House and Senate member. Author of three award-winning children’s biographies, he earned an undergraduate degree from Georgetown University, a law degree from the University of ȱȱȱȱȱȱęȱ¢ȱǯȱ ȱȱȱȱ ȱDZȱĤȓǯǯ
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