BEAVER, Ohio–An Ohio credit union’s decade-long commitment to financial literacy has influenced a new state education policy, according to a new report.
Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine recently signed an operating budget for Fiscal Years 2025-2027, which includes an amendment promoting financial literacy in schools. The Chillicothe Gazette noted the amendment allows school boards to adopt policies enabling students to fulfill their financial literacy requirements through participation in student branches offered by credit unions or banks, provided they meet or exceed academic content standards.
‘Direct Result of CU’
“This change is a direct result of Atomic Credit Union’s Student Run Credit Union program, which has been active for 15 years,” the Gazette reported. “The program offers students hands-on financial education, teaching them real-world skills in saving and budgeting.”
“Since 2011, Atomic Credit Union has been offering our Student Run Credit Union program in schools across southern Ohio,” Thomas D. Griffiths, Atomic CU president/CEO, said in a released statement. In Approximately 100 Schools
“Next year, we will be in approximately 100 schools across 38 different school districts with 900 student workers serving over 9,000 student participants. This program shows the demand for a real-life, hands-on educational experience in one of life’s most important skills, handling your finances!”
The program has been supported by local state representatives as well as the Ohio Chamber of Commerce and the Ohio Credit Union League, according to the Chillicothe Gazette.
“We are very thankful for [the] work of State Representative Justin Pizzulli (R-Scioto County) and State Representative Brian Stewart (R-Ashville) who serves as chairman of the House Finance Committee,” Aaron Michael, Atomic CU COO/General Counsel, said in a statement.
Going to the ‘Next Level’
“They both know how valuable the Student Run program has been for schools in Southern Ohio. We look forward to taking this program to the next level.”
The $750-million Atomic Credit Union has more than 82,000 members.