Getting a Head Start on Finances

Citizens National Bank started an initiative to jumpstart children’s growth in financial literacy. They are calling it “Bankers in Every Classroom”. Twin States News visited the bank’s first stop at Poplar Springs Elementary.

Throughout the first week of November, representatives from Citizens National Bank will attend a school in the Meridian Public School District (MPSD) where they’ll sit down and talk to kids about the importance of budgeting, credit, and even how to balance a checkbook.

“Citizens National Bank is huge on the community”, stated manager Keemonica Johnson, Citizens National Bank -Bonita. “We want to make sure that we are doing our part by teaching financial literacy. It doesn’t matter if the kids are three or eighteen; we want to get in every classroom. That's what this week is about.”

Johnson spoke with 4th graders today, who surprisingly already knew a lot about finances. Fourth grader Trezonn Wallace spoke about fraud and the signs he believes you should look for to avoid being scammed.

“When you see people and they ask for all your information, you have to go online and see if they are actually real”, said Wallace.

The children fall into generation Z, which has an advantage in technology. Johnson believes that because of their knowledge in technology the generation has a lead in managing their financial future.

“Because they know so much right now it will help them from getting in so much trouble with their finances in the future. As long as they focus on saving. Understanding that early they’ll be able to handle whatever they want to do in the future.” Keemonica Johnson Citizens National Bank Manager- Bonita

Citizens National Bank host this initiative every year in the hopes that it will help children get a jumpstart on their managing their financial future.