Credit unions help promote financial literacy

Credit unions are leaders and trusted sources when it comes to financial education and personal well-being for people in all stages of life. Our youngest citizens are particularly vulnerable and in need of guidance, and that’s why credit unions partner with local schools to make financial education an important aspect of a well-rounded education. Thousands of Ohio students regularly receive financial education from credit unions through reality fairs, student-run credit union branches, classroom instruction, and the following websites stocked with free resources for educators, parents and students: MoneyandStuff.info and bizkids.com.

Teaching personal financial responsibility always has been part of the mission of creditunion financial cooperatives. And with free resources and tools from MoneyAndStuff.info and BizKids.com, the “money talk” is now the easiest talk to have with kids. So if one needs vetted lesson plans that meet state and national standards, videos, games, reading recommendations, budget worksheets and more — for all age groups — one should take advantage of these free resources from the local credit union.

There is much to be done in the area of financial literacy, as The Dispatch noted in Monday’s editorial, “Understanding the bottom line.” Credit unions are working to be a big part of the solution. PAUL L. MERCER

President Ohio Credit Union League

Columbus