WASHINGTON — Sweepstakes, new interactive tools, special sessions for football teams and “golden coins” are just some of the initiatives credit unions across the United States have debuted to mark April as both Financial Literacy Month and National Credit Union Youth Month.
There are also educational programs, workshops and outreach efforts aimed at improving financial skills for both adults and younger consumers in support of this year’s theme, “Ready, Set, Save!”
Below is just a sampling of some of the efforts nationally as compiled by the CU Daily.
Royal Credit Union: Numerous Activities Under Way
In Eau Claire, Wis., Royal Credit Union will be hosting a number of activities, including:
- Ready, Set, Save! Sweepstakes. Kids age 12 and under can visit any Royal office during April to enter the Ready, Set, Save! Youth Month Sweepstakes. Each office will award one $100 Savings Starter Prize, and all entries will be included in a drawing for a $500 Savings Boost Grand Prize. Winners will be randomly selected after the promotion period.
- New Kid’s Club Member Promotion. To encourage youth to begin saving, new Kid’s Club Members age 12 and under who open a savings account in April, will receive $5 deposited into their new account from Royal.
- In‑Office Youth Month Fun. Royal offices will feature Youth Month displays and free activity sheets, including coloring pages and puzzles, available all month long. These activities are designed to make learning about saving engaging and approachable for kids and families.
- School $ense Elementary Classrooms. Elementary classrooms at Royal School $ense locations will receive a fun activity worksheet to complete during April. Once worksheets are turned in, one participating classroom at each school will be selected at random to win a Ready, Set, Save Prize Pack. More details will be shared in the School $ense section of the April school newsletters.
- Middle School Financial Trivia. Middle school credit union sites will celebrate Youth Month by hosting financial trivia throughout April. Students who answer trivia questions correctly will be entered into a drawing to win a $25 Amazon gift card.
Royal Credit Union also has a video on its KidsClub here. Below, is a scene from that video.
Addition Financial: New Interactive Tools
In Lake Mary, Fla., Addition Financial Credit Union said it is making it easier than ever for members to build confidence with their finances by launching new, interactive financial education tools as part of its expanded Financial Education Resource Center.
Addition Financial said the enhanced resource center introduces free, mobile-friendly courses and an engaging educational video library designed to meet members wherever they are on their financial journey. The new tools provide flexible, self-paced learning opportunities that fit into busy schedules while helping members make informed financial decisions.
The expanded offerings include:
- Everfi Achieve, a mobile-friendly online platform featuring interactive courses that allow members to learn at their own pace while building practical financial skills on topics such as banking basics, budgeting, purchasing a home, and managing credit and debt.
- It’s a Money Thing, a dynamic digital video library that simplifies complex financial topics like credit, interest and budgeting into engaging, easy-to-understand content — making it especially effective for younger members and families beginning their financial journey.
“Together, these resources reflect Addition Financial’s ongoing commitment to supporting financial wellness across all stages of life,” the credit union said. “In addition to these digital tools, Addition Financial plans to expand its in-person financial education efforts later this year by incorporating materials from Everfi into community workshops designed to further support members and local communities.
Raiz FCU: New Initiative Includes New ‘Golden Coin’
El Paso, Texas-based Raiz FCU has launched a new initiative it said is to help young members build strong financial habits early and address a growing need for accessible financial education among youth.
“Through simple tools like take-home piggy banks and interactive learning resources, families are introduced to foundational concepts like saving, budgeting, and building responsible money habits early,” Raiz FCU said. “As part of this experience, some piggy banks include a special ‘golden coin’ designed to spark curiosity and make learning about saving more fun and memorable for children.
Raiz said that along with in-branch experiences, youth members will have access to free, online interactive financial education courses that are designed to strengthen real-world saving habits. These tools assist families in taking practical steps to understand money in a way that is both accessible and easy to implement.
Effective April 1, families opening a Raiz Youth Savings Account will get a free piggy bank as part of what it said is a fun, interactive savings experience. A limited number of these piggy banks will feature a hidden “golden coin” worth $100, “creating an exciting moment that encourages children to start saving.”
Additionally, young members can earn a $25 bonus when they save $100 in their youth savings account.
“At Raiz, we believe financial confidence starts early,” President and CEO Max Villaronga said in a statement. “By creating experiences that are both engaging and educational, we are helping families introduce important financial concepts in a way that feels natural and meaningful.”
Hughes FCU: A ‘Financial Faceoff’
In Tucson, Hughes Federal Credit Union and University of Arizona’s Norton School of Human Ecology—Take Charge America Institute have announced the 20th anniversary of the Arizona Financial Faceoff, scheduled for April 18 at the University of Arizona campus.
According to the credit union, the program’s roots trace back to 2005, evolving from the “Duel in the Desert,” a prestigious national competition for college students. Recognizing a critical need for earlier intervention, Hughes FCU said it and the University pivoted the model to focus on a greater local impact, bringing that same high-level competitive spirit to Southern Arizona high school students.
The first “Financial Face Off” was held the following year, hosted by the University’s Norton School in partnership with the Take Charge America Institute housed within the school and sponsored by Hughes.
‘More Complex Than Ever’
“Financial decisions are more complex than ever,” Kellie Terhune Neely, a long-time judge and former Hughes executive who helped launch the program, said in a statement. “Giving kids financial knowledge before they graduate gives them the confidence to make smart decisions throughout their lives. It’s a natural domino effect: financial literacy leads to financial health, which ultimately strengthens our entire community. I’ve seen parents thank us because their children are starting money conversations at home that they never had before. It truly touches you to see that impact.”
Throughout the school year, U of A students from Take Charge Cats (formerly Credit Wise Cats) conduct 150 to 200 workshops in local classrooms. These courses cover essential practical skills, including budgeting, saving, debt management and the wise use of credit. Students then participate in the annual competition, hosted by The Norton School and Take Charge America Institute.
The Competition: Solving Real-World Challenges
During the event, students apply their skills to solve intensive financial case studies. These scenarios challenge teams to coordinate realistic monthly budgets, forcing them to make tough choices—such as consolidating cell phone plans and streaming services—to achieve financial stability.
According to Huges FCU, the 20-year success of the Financial Faceoff has paved the way for permanent academic and community infrastructure. The University of Arizona now offers a dedicated degree in Personal and Family Financial Planning, ensuring a pipeline of future experts in the field.
“The Financial Faceoff is the foundation of a much larger vision,” said Laura Scaramella, director of The Norton School. “We are now taking these financial coaching workshops for adults directly into the community. Our hope is to expand this reach even further into our rural communities, ensuring every student in Southern Arizona has access to these life-changing tools.”
Eglin FCU: Partners on ‘Teach Children to Save’ Campaign
Eglin Federal Credit Union and Okaloosa County Teachers Federal Credit Union in Fort Walton Beach, Fla. Said it has partnered with Okaloosa Saves for the annual Teach Children to Save campaign April 1 – June 30. Youth, 17 and younger, are being encouraged to set a savings goal and make a deposit into their savings account. Their names will be entered into a random drawing for 10 children to win a $50 deposit into their savings account from Okaloosa Saves.
Last year, 102 youths from Eglin FCU and Renasant Bank under the age of 18 participated in the Okaloosa Saves Teach a Child to Save campaign, with deposits totaling $27,058.82. Since the program began in 2004, 2,497 children have made deposits totaling $420,668.34.
“Each year, we look forward to the Teach a Child to Save campaign because building strong financial habits early in life is one of the most meaningful gifts we can give the next generation,” Eglin Federal Credit Union President and CEO Cathie Staton said in a statement. “Teaching children the importance of saving not only helps them understand the value of money, but also equips them with lifelong skills in responsibility, planning, and goal setting. For more than 20 years, Eglin Federal Credit Union has been honored to partner with Okaloosa Saves to support financial education across Northwest Florida. Financial wellness helps build stronger families which ripples outward to strengthen entire communities.”
Dupaco CU: Football Team Tackles Workshop
In Dubuque, Iowa, Dupaco Community Credit Union is reporting it hosted a budgeting, savings and credit workshop delivered to a Dubuque-area college football team.
Dupaco cited data from the National College Attainment Network (NCAN) shows today’s students are facing severe financial strain, noting that according to NCAN’s 2025 Student Financial Wellness Survey56% of students say they would have trouble coming up with $500 in cash or credit for an unexpected expense, 68% reported running out of money at least once in 2024, 71% experienced financial challenges while enrolled, and 48% said these financial hardships directly interfered with their ability to concentrate on schoolwork.
Pressures ‘Amplified’
“For student‑athletes, these pressures are often amplified,” said Pete Spinoso, community outreach and education supervisor at Dupaco. “They juggle demanding schedules and many don’t have time to build money skills on their own. Our goal is to give them simple, actionable insights and tools they can use immediately—so they’re prepared for financial challenges both in college and beyond…When we’re able to meet students where they are, whether that’s in the classroom or with their teammates, we help build that confidence that will serve them well after graduation.”
During the workshop, Spinoso provided guidance on creating a budget, saving for unexpected expenses, managing credit and navigating real‑world money decisions.
More Than 1,000 Presentations
During 2025, Dupaco said it partnered with more than 1,000 employers including area colleges and universities–throughout Iowa, Wisconsin and Illinois to deliver financial wellness programs at no cost.
SECU: Workshops Across 275 Branches
In recognition of Financial Literacy Month, State Employees’ Credit Union in North Carolina (SECU) said it is highlighting its free financial education programming offered through its network of 275 branches located in all 100 North Carolina counties.
In 2025, more than 134,500 North Carolinians, including 102,500 students, participated in one of 1,550 financial education events hosted by SECU, the credit union reported.
The programs, offered year-round, are designed to help participants build practical financial knowledge and skills at every age – covering topics that range from budgeting, saving, and retirement planning – and can be customized for specific audiences and age groups.
SECU said it places a large focus on financial education for the state’s youth, complementing its FAT CAT® Share Account for members 12 and under and Zard® accounts for teens 13 – 19.
Offerings include:
- FAT CAT Presentations that introduce elementary-age students to basic money concepts, with activities and workbooks to accompany lessons.
- Reality of Money, a very popular simulation that provides middle and high school students with a hands-on experience managing a household budget and making real-world financial decisions.
- A variety of consumer financial education presentations for adult audiences, covering topics such as debt management, credit building, identity theft prevention, and retirement planning.
Service Credit Union: Blogs & Social Media Content
In recognition of Financial Literacy Month, Service Credit Union said it will deliver a series of financial literacy-focused blogs and social media content, designed to help individuals and families better understand everyday money management topics. Content will cover a wide range of practical subjects, including budgeting, saving strategies, credit management, and planning for both short- and long-term financial goals, the credit union said.
In addition to its digital efforts, Service CU said it will also feature financial literacy messaging across its branch network, reinforcing key financial wellness concepts where members bank every day.
“These in-branch touchpoints are designed to spark conversations, provide guidance, and connect members with the resources they need to make informed financial decisions,” Service CU said.
Service CU’s educational resources are available here: servicecu.org/learn.
People Driven Credit Union: $25 Added to Youth CD
In Southfield, Mich., when a new Youth Account is opened with $25 or more, People Driven Credit Union will open and fund a $25 Youth CD.
“This special April offer is a smart way to help your child begin saving with a little extra momentum,” the credit union said. “It is a great way to encourage long-term saving and start conversations about patience, goals, and how money can grow over time.”
Alaska Air Group Credit Union: Three Different Initiatives
In Anchorage, Alaska Air Group Credit Union is offering:
- Youth Account. The CU is offering a 6.14% APY on the first $500* on a “Take Off Kids Savings Account” or “Altitude Teen Club Savings Account.”
- Banzai Financial Education. “Start teaching your child the value of money with help from our free youth financial education courses,” AAGCU said. “Our financial education partner, Banzai, offers fun, interactive, and educational games that involve real-world scenarios to teach kids about savings, income, credit, budgeting, and more.”
- Coloring Contest: During April, AAGCU is hosting a coloring contest. Members can download the coloring page, a young member can color it, and then it can be brought into the branch with the signed consent form, or emailed or mailed, and three winners will be selected to receive $25 deposited into their AAGCU Youth Savings account.
Sound Credit Union: Crosswords, Coloring, and Word Searches
In Washington State, Sound Credit Union is offering numerous activities tied to National Financial Literacy Month, including a crosswords puzzle, a coloring contest and a word search.
Its offerings can be found here.
