Young North Carolinians are getting the message that savings matter.

State Employees’ Credit Union’s youth programs have recently surpassed the 200,000 mark in accounts opened with deposits totaling more than $80 million.

The Raleigh, North Carolina-based credit union’s two youth programs - Fat Cat, for children up to age 12 and Zard, aimed at teens 13-19 years old, place an emphasis on youth financial education, with dedicated Websites, newsletters and in-school presentations by SECU staffers.