SECU Youth Set New Record During 2016 Challenge Week – Saving over $3.4 Million!

“Launch into Saving!” display at SECU’s Raleigh-Six Forks Rd branch.

"Raleigh, N.C. – Nearly 19,000 FAT CAT and teen Zard members responded to State Employees’ Credit Union’s (SECU’s) Youth Saving Challenge – “Launch into Saving!” by setting a new record – depositing over $3.4 million into savings, while opening 679 new youth accounts!  The Credit Union used the popular theme of space exploration to inspire and cheer on its young members to start saving for future goals and dreams.  Participating savers who made a deposit during the April 18-22 week-long event were automatically entered in a random drawing for one FAT CAT and one Zard member to win an Apple iPad mini 2 and a $25 iTunes gift card.  For the second year in a row, each of SECU’s statewide offices hosted a kite giveaway, with 255 lucky winners walking away with an Atlantis space shuttle kite as featured in the photo.

The Credit Union’s Youth Saving Challenge is an annual event, held in conjunction with April’s Financial Literacy Month, to help North Carolina’s young citizens understand the importance of saving and developing good money habits at an early age.  Staff in SECU branches promoted “Launch into Saving!” with colorful displays and engaged youth with numerous themed educational activities.  To continue its financial literacy efforts during the month, SECU branches hosted youth appreciation days and conducted financial education presentations in-house and for local schools and community organizations, with SECU’s youth mascot FAT CAT often making appearances.

“This year’s NASA space-themed Challenge was a big hit with kids and parents alike,” said Holly Carroll, Vice President of SECU’s Raleigh-Six Forks Road branch.  “The event offered a great platform for our staff to connect with kids and the Saving Challenge provided an interesting and fun way for youth to learn about saving.  We always like to offer something extra special on the last day of the Challenge, so keeping in line with the theme, we served packets of freeze-dried ice cream in three flavors – just like the astronauts eat.  They loved it!”

About SECU

A not-for-profit financial cooperative owned by its members, SECU has been providing employees of the State of North Carolina and their families with consumer financial services for nearly 79 years.  The Credit Union also offers a diversified line of financial advisory services including retirement and education planning, tax preparation, insurance, trust and estate planning services, and investments through its partners and affiliated entities.  SECU serves 2 million members through 255 branch offices, over 1,100 ATMs, 24/7 Member Services via phone and a website, www.ncsecu.org."

- A Press Release