More than 700 kids and teens voluntarily got excited about their bank accounts.
Not a new gaming console. Not the latest TikTok trend. Their actual savings accounts.
Marshall Community Credit Union (MCCU) just wrapped up its annual Youth Month in April, and the numbers tell a pretty impressive story. Those 700+ young members didn’t just show up—they actively engaged with their money, and MCCU rewarded them with more than $9,900 in account incentives, deposit matches, and member rewards. Think of it as getting paid to learn skills that’ll actually matter in real life.
The timing couldn’t be more fitting. As MCCU celebrates 75 years of helping members navigate their financial journeys, this year’s Youth Month doubled down on what the credit union does best: turning intimidating money stuff into manageable, even enjoyable, habits.
“At MCCU, we know that confidence with money starts with experience,” explained Laura Santos, CCUFC, who serves as Community & Youth Engagement Manager. “Youth Month is designed to encourage kids and teens to stay engaged with saving, spending responsibly, and building healthy financial habits early in life.”
The concept is refreshingly straightforward. Throughout April, young members earned rewards simply for doing smart things with their accounts—making deposits, opening new accounts, or taking small steps toward financial independence. No complicated hoops to jump through. Just real actions that build real skills.
What makes this initiative particularly cool is that it’s not locked away in some corporate vault. The yearly promotion is actually available for other credit unions to adopt and customize for their own communities. It’s like open-source financial literacy, if you will.
But MCCU doesn’t treat youth financial wellness as a once-a-year checkbox exercise. Beyond Youth Month, the credit union keeps the momentum going through ongoing member engagement, school partnerships, and community outreach—all designed to help young people feel comfortable and capable when dealing with money.
“This promotion is always exciting because it celebrates positive financial behaviors in a way that feels encouraging and rewarding,” Santos added. “As we celebrate our 75th anniversary, we’re proud to continue investing in the next generation and helping young members build habits that can benefit them for years to come.”
In a world where financial anxiety is practically a given for most adults, getting kids started on the right foot isn’t just nice—it’s necessary. And judging by those participation numbers, MCCU might be onto something.
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