Topline Federal Credit Union Teaches Financial Literacy to High School Students

MAPLE GROVE, MN - Local member-owned cooperative TopLine Federal Credit Union has partnered with Osseo Senior High School's unique program, "Opportunity Hour" to provide students life lessons on money -- and how to manage it. Opportunity Hour offers students the chance to learn about subject matter from outside experts that complements school coursework.

During the first eight-week course this winter, TopLine experts instructed students on financial management topics including "Your First Job - How to Better Manage your Money," " Setting Money Goals " and " Creating a Budget with Saving and Spending Tips. " The credit union helped students understand the differences between credit unions and banks, gross pay vs. net pay, debit vs. credit cards and the importance of saving and protecting your private information.

TopLine will return to Opportunity Hour again this spring, starting March 16 through April 27, to teach teen drivers about auto insurance, focusing on topics like texting while driving, costs of auto insurance, determining who is at-fault in an accident and understanding how insurance carriers determine the final outcome of a claim.

"We were delighted to be able to partner with our local credit union, TopLine, to help reinforce the concepts students are learning about in our personal finance classes," said Michelle Mazanec, College and Career Specialist at Osseo Senior High School. "Knowing we can count on TopLine as an outside expert allows us to add real-life examples and financial education expertise to compliment our curriculum, and this truly helps our students develop useful life skills."

"TopLine believes in the importance educating students and young adults on financial literacy -- high school is when many start earning and spending their own money for the first time, and it's a crucial period for these types of valuable financial lessons," said Tom Smith, TopLine Federal Credit Union President and CEO. "Working with students sets them up for a lifetime of smart financial decisions from an early age -- we're pleased to give back to our communities in this way."

It's never too early to talk with kids about money. That's why TopLine Federal Credit Union is committed to Get Smart With Your Money ™ -- an ongoing financial education initiative in our Minneapolis/St. Paul communities encouraging kids and their parents to talk about spending, saving and sharing money wisely. TopLine offers regular classes at its Maple Grove location for all ages of kids and young adults -- and their families. To learn more about TopLine's financial literacy sessions visit https://www.toplinecu.com/financial-education/youth- financial-literacy.

ISD 279 - Osseo Area Schools is an award-winning school system that inspires and prepares all students with the confidence, courage, and competence to achieve their dreams; contribute to community; and engage in a lifetime of learning. Osseo Senior High School is a four-year public high school located in Osseo, Minnesota on 317 2nd Avenue NW.

TopLine Federal Credit Union, a Twin Cities-based credit union, is Minnesota's 13 ^th largest, with assets of more than $370 million. Established in 1935, the not-for-profit cooperative offers a complete line of financial services, as well as auto and home insurance, from its five branch locations -- in Bloomington, Brooklyn Park, Maple Grove, Plymouth and in St. Paul's Como Park -- as well as by phone, mobile app and online at www.TopLinecu.com . Membership is available to anyone who lives, works, worships, attends school or volunteers in Anoka, Carver, Dakota, Hennepin, Ramsey, Scott or Washington Counties and their immediate family members.