Thanks to NuMark Credit Union members of Brownie Troop 301 of Plainfield, Ill., know more about how money is made, how to spot counterfeit money and the importance of saving. These enthusiastic girls found out that money is made in part from blue jeans and learned the security features in a five-, ten-, and twenty-dollar bills.

"I was calling around to different banks looking for someone that provided this kind of program for kids, but I wasn't having any luck," said Ranae Loghry, troop leader. "I decided to give my own credit union a try and found out that they could do the program for us. The girls really had fun."

"We were happy to host the girls," said Kari Endres, marketing director at the Joliet, Ill.-based credit union. "We've done this kind of hands on program for our "Bank at School" tellers. Everyone was eager to learn, and it was a great experience. Two of the girls particularly impressed me, saying that they wanted to save for a house and open a design studio. They were dreaming big, and I bet they'll do it, too."