Royal CU Recognized for Financial Literacy Efforts

EAU CLAIRE, Wis. – Royal Credit Union’s (Royal’s) Test Drive Digital financial education program received a first-place 2021 Desjardins Youth Financial Education Award from the Wisconsin Credit Union League.

The award recognizes Royal’s Test Drive Digital, the virtual version of the in-person reality fair, Test Drive…Next Stop Reality. Designed by Royal’s financial education team, this real-life simulation offers high school students a glimpse of what it’s like to maintain a monthly budget at age 25. Using their chosen education level and career, students manage expenses such as student loans, insurance, housing, and groceries by watching short video lessons about each subject. They are randomly assigned a family status and credit score so they can see how these factors affect their purchase choices. Students make decisions and record each credit and debit on a digital income and transaction log. The goal is to get through the month without running out of money. Pre- and posttests help measure knowledge gains and attitudinal changes.

On April 1, 2021, through a joint effort with the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction (DPI), Royal launched Test Drive Digital on Xello, DPI’s academic and career planning website. Through this platform, Royal is able to offer the program to all high schools in the state of Wisconsin, completely free of charge. For classes using Xello, Test Drive Digital was designed to input the information students build into their profile, giving them the opportunity to expand their understanding of how their college and career choices may impact their financial future.

The goal of Royal’s youth programs is to help kids understand concepts like saving, spending, and borrowing. Royal’s financial education programs are offered at no cost and help lay the foundation for a lifetime of healthy habits.  Test Drive Digital is an important financial education resource that is accessible and inclusive, and will provide an impactful learning opportunity for high school students for years to come.

Links and More Information 

Information and video about Test Drive Digital: Test Drive Digital | Royal Credit Union (rcu.org)

Xello information for Wisconsin educators: www.rcu.org/Xello  

Contact for educators: email TestDrive@rcu.org

About Royal Credit Union

Royal Credit Union is a federally insured credit union proudly serving over 250,000 Members in Minnesota and Wisconsin. Royal is driven by a core ideology built on a strong purpose and values. You can open an account or apply for a low-rate loan at Royal Credit Union if you live or work in 26 counties in western Wisconsin or 16 counties in Minnesota. Counties served in Wisconsin include Adams, Ashland, Bayfield, Barron, Buffalo, Burnett, Chippewa, Clark, Douglas, Dunn, Eau Claire, Jackson, Lincoln, Marathon, Pepin, Pierce, Polk, Portage, Price, Rusk, Sawyer, St. Croix, Taylor, Trempealeau, Washburn, and Wood. Counties served in Minnesota include Anoka, Carver, Chisago, Dakota, Goodhue, Hennepin, Isanti, Olmsted, Pine, Ramsey, Scott, Sherburne, Wabasha, Washington, Winona and Wright. Realtors in the state of Wisconsin or Minnesota are also eligible to join the credit union. Visit rcu.org or call Royal Credit Union at 800-341-9911 for more information.