Houston Style Magazine Feature: Empowering Kids with Financial Literacy: Members Choice Credit Union Leads the Way*

Jo-Carolyn Goode | 4/1/2024, 3:08 p.m.
As Financial Literacy Month unfolds this April, parents are urged to take proactive steps in equipping their children with essential …
Marina Rivera, chief lending and retail experience officer for Members Choice Credit Union

As Financial Literacy Month unfolds this April, parents are urged to take proactive steps in equipping their children with essential money management skills. Members Choice Credit Union stands at the forefront, offering valuable resources to nurture financial literacy in young minds.


Marina Rivera, Chief Lending and Retail Experience Officer at Members Choice Credit Union, underscores the importance of early financial education. "Studies indicate that children exposed to financial literacy from a young age tend to exhibit higher credit scores and lower debt levels in adulthood," Rivera explains. "By laying a strong foundation now, we empower our children to navigate financial decisions confidently later in life."


Rivera advocates for initiating financial discussions with children as young as five years old, capitalizing on their inherent understanding of saving and spending concepts. By age 10, children can effectively apply these principles to real-world scenarios.


One pivotal step in cultivating financial responsibility is opening a checking account for children. "A checking account offers children a platform to manage their finances efficiently, whether it's earnings from allowances, babysitting, or chores," Rivera emphasizes. "Through hands-on experience, children learn vital skills such as depositing income and monitoring expenses."


When selecting a checking account for kids, Members Choice Credit Union emphasizes the importance of features that promote financial literacy and facilitate ongoing conversations between parents and children. Budgeting tools and savings trackers enhance the learning journey, encouraging proactive financial habits.


Exploring student checking account options tailored for children and teens is recommended, as credit unions often provide specialized resources and competitive interest rates to foster financial growth.


"By empowering children with a checking account, parents instill discipline and financial acumen, enabling informed decision-making early on," Rivera states. "Teaching children the value of money and the art of budgeting lays a solid foundation for their future prosperity."


For more information on financial literacy resources and tailored account options for kids, visit Members Choice Credit Union's website at www.mccu.com. Join the movement to cultivate a generation of financially savvy individuals, equipped to thrive in an ever-changing economic landscape.