Credit Union Supports Summer Youth Employment and Financial Capability Program
July 16, 2014
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1st Financial Federal Credit Union accepts invitation to become the financial partner with the City of St. Louis Treasurers Office and S.L.A.T.E. for the latters Summer Youth Employment and Financial Capability Program.
In January of 2013, Tishaura Jones took office as Treasurer, having run on a platform of improving financial literacy for the highly unbanked city of St. Louis. As part of that measure, Ms. Jones office partnered with S.L.A.T.E., the St. Louis Agency on Training and Employment, offering free services related to job training, employment, and career advancement for the St. Louis area. S.L.A.T.E.s Summer Youth Employment and Financial Capability Program employs eligible youth between the ages of 17 and 23 for up to 300 hours during the summer holidays. These young adults earn a competitive wage while working for the City and State Parks Department. As part of the program, 1st Financial was asked to open accounts, set up direct deposit, and teach a financial literacy program focused on establishing a savings plan.
Ms. Jones was recently quoted as saying, "We are excited to partner with 1st Financial Federal Credit Union and S.L.A.T.E. to help teach St. Louis youth how money works." She went on to say "These youth are the future of our community, and it is our responsibility to teach them how to budget and save, so they can become financially empowered adults who invest in the City of St. Louis."
Because many of S.L.A.T.E.s participants usually would not qualify for free checking due to their age or lack of credit, 1st Financial created a Youth Summer Employment Account specifically for this program. The accounts were intended to promote positive banking habits by eliminating the threat of overdraft fees and encourage ease of access with a VISA Debit Card.
The account features include:
- Free Checking
- Free VISA ATM/Debit Card
- No Overdraft Fees On Debit Purchases
- Access to 30,000 Fee-Free ATMs Nationwide
- Personal One-On-One Guidance With Financial Service Representatives
- Ongoing Targeted Financial Education
- Free Mobile Banking Apps
- Free Online Banking With Bill Pay
- No Monthly Service Charges