The $2.2 billion Jeanne D’Arc Credit Union has teamed up with a New England Patriots star to help fill financial education gaps in Massachusetts.
The Lowell-based credit union’s new initiative with New England Defensive Keion White, “Tackling Financial Wellness,” includes a Financial Wellness Playbook containing 99 actionable steps people can take to help them achieve their financial goals (a nod to White’s jersey number, 99), which can be downloaded on Jeanne D’Arc’s website; and the ability to book “Touchdown With Your Money” workshops in kindergarten through 12th grade classrooms.
What’s more, the credit union said it will be donating $50 for every New England tackle this season, up to $50,000, to support financial well-being across its communities.
With only 29 states requiring a personal finance course to graduate high school, not including Massachusetts, Jeanne D’Arc said it is helping to fill the gap through its classroom lessons, summer programs, adult workshops, webinars and personalized coaching, as well as its operation of three high school branches.
“We are thrilled to be working with Keion White to Tackle Financial Wellness,” Jeanne D’Arc President/CEO Larissa Thurston said. “Keion is more than an elite athlete – he’s a role model who understands the importance of making smart financial choices. His commitment to making financial education accessible to everyone and planning for the future, regardless of age or profession, aligns perfectly with our mission.”
White earned a degree in business administration from Georgia Tech University before being selected in the second round of the 2023 NFL Draft, and he often speaks about the importance of financial education and encourages others to invest in themselves, especially those in underserved communities, the credit union said.
“Financial wellness is just as important as physical wellness,” White said. “Throughout my journey, I’ve seen how knowledge and preparation can change the course of someone’s future. Partnering with Jeanne D’Arc Credit Union allows me to use my platform to empower people, especially in underserved communities, to take control of their financial playbook. Just like on the field, it’s about having a game plan – and with the right steps, anyone can move toward long-term success.”
In other credit union-athletic organization partnership news, AlumniFi, a digital banking brand powered by the $8.2 billion, East Lansing, Mich.-based MSUFCU, launched a three-year partnership with the BIG EAST Conference, an association of 11 colleges and universities. As the official partner of the BIG EAST Conference, AlumniFi will engage with fans, alumni and students this athletics season through game‑day integrations, media and financial empowerment activations across the association’s footprint.
As part of the partnership, revenue maximization company Playfly Sports, which brokered the deal, along with the BIG EAST Conference will work with select student-athletes from BIG EAST schools to promote AlumniFi and the many tools and resources it provides to establish smart financial behavior.
“We’re proud to join the BIG EAST and connect with a community built on tradition, intensity and alumni pride,” April Clobes, President/CEO of MSUFCU and AlumniFi, said. “AlumniFi delivers banking for real life – simple, transparent and tech‑savvy – and this partnership brings those benefits to BIG EAST alumni, fans and students through exclusive game‑day experiences and financial tools that help them save, spend and grow on their own terms. Playfly’s reach across multiple fan communities gives us a meaningful opportunity to connect with audiences in new and engaging ways, making this a valuable partnership for us.”
The 11 colleges and universities in the BIG EAST Conference are Butler University, University of Connecticut, Creighton University, DePaul University, Georgetown University, Marquette University, Providence College, St. John’s University, Seton Hall University, Villanova University and Xavier University.
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