CIRCLE PINES, Minn. – Anoka County Federal Credit Union Retail Services Manager Matt Lasiuta was recently featured on the popular teen news show “Whatever” for his energetic and engaging efforts to teach money management and financial planning to high school students. “Whatever” airs on local NBC-affiliate Kare 11 on Saturday mornings. Lasiuta was filmed while speaking to a classroom at Crossroads High School in Coon Rapids. “My credit union strongly believes in the financial education of our youth,” Lasiuta said. “The issue is that youth aren’t educated because their parents aren’t educated. You’ve got to start somewhere – we might as well start with this generation.” For more than four years, Lasiuta has been involved in classroom education in the northern Twin Cities metro area. However, in the past year, Anoka County FCU made a conscious effort to realign its focus, placing a larger emphasis on youth education and youth involvement in the credit union. In addition to the credit union’s other products and services, Anoka County FCU offers a youth club, a teen checking program and a college student lending program. As the hosts of the “Whatever” show said, “It’s never too early to take charge of your financial future,” and she encouraged teens to take an active role in money management. Both in the classroom and in the “Whatever” feature story, Lasiuta covers a wide range of financial topics, including credit, credit card applications, buying a car, credit union membership and the credit union difference. He has created his own curriculum over the past four years, and he modifies his content to fit particular audiences. He also provides teachers with supplemental teaching information from the National Endowment for Financial Education’s High School Financial Planning Program. “When I go into [high school classrooms], I gear almost everything in question form – I’m there to educate, not to lecture or talk down to them,” Lasiuta said.

Complete your profile to continue reading and get FREE access to CUTimes.com, part of your ALM digital membership.

Your access to unlimited CUTimes.com content isn’t changing.
Once you are an ALM digital member, you’ll receive:

  • Critical CUTimes.com information including comprehensive product and service provider listings via the Marketplace Directory, CU Careers, resources from industry leaders, webcasts, and breaking news, analysis and more with our informative Newsletters.
  • Exclusive discounts on ALM and CU Times events.
  • Access to other award-winning ALM websites including Law.com and GlobeSt.com.

Already have an account?


NOT FOR REPRINT

© 2023 ALM Global, LLC, All Rights Reserved. Request academic re-use from www.copyright.com. All other uses, submit a request to [email protected]. For more information visit Asset & Logo Licensing.

Dig Deeper

 

Credit Union Times

Join Credit Union Times

Don’t miss crucial strategic and tactical information necessary to run your institution and better serve your members. Join Credit Union Times now!

  • Free unlimited access to Credit Union Times' trusted and independent team of experts for extensive industry news, conference coverage, people features, statistical analysis, and regulation and technology updates.
  • Exclusive discounts on ALM and Credit Union Times events.
  • Access to other award-winning ALM websites including TreasuryandRisk.com and Law.com.

Already have an account? Sign In Now
Join Credit Union Times

Copyright © 2023 ALM Global, LLC. All Rights Reserved.