Kids Learn the Essentials of Financial Literacy From TopLine Federal Credit Union

MAPLE GROVE, MN--(Marketwire - Apr 20, 2011) - TopLine Federal Credit Union held a special financial literacy session on the campus of North Hennepin Community College earlier this month for junior high students in North Hennepin Community College's Cornerstones program, which provides low-income, minority and first-generation middle and high-school students year-round services to build skills and interest in language arts, social studies, science, math, and technology and to become familiar with the college environment.

Although it was spring break, seventeen Brooklyn Park-area junior high schoolers and their North Hennepin Community College tutors attended the session, focused on teaching good money management habits. The seminar illustrated how to compare needs to wants; set financial goals; budget; spend wisely; use credit wisely; how to understand the difference between debit and credit cards; and ways to protect private information from identity theft. Each student also received a "Personal Money Management Guide," a reference book for the whole family outlining the various topics discussed in the session.

"The program was outstanding -- TopLine used real-life examples to show how the decisions our students make today with their money can really have an impact on options down the road," says Namibia Little, Academic Advisor, Cornerstones Junior High School at North Hennepin Community College. "It was eye-opening for all of them, and the curriculum fits right in to our program's goal, to encourage holistic student development for academic, personal and social success."

"These students asked so many thought-provoking questions -- they were ready to learn," says Vicki Erickson, Assistant Vice President, TopLine Federal Credit Union. "We know it's never too early to start teaching kids about money. That's why at TopLine we're so focused on education. It's important to encourage kids to develop financial savvy now so they'll be in the habit of practicing good money management habits throughout their lives."

TopLine offers financial literacy seminars for young people throughout the year. Please visit www.Toplinecu.com to check for upcoming sessions and availability.

TopLine Federal Credit Union, a Twin Cities-based credit union, is Minnesota's 13th largest, with assets of more than $300 million. Established in 1935, TopLine offers a complete line of financial services from five locations with branches in Brooklyn Park, Edina, Maple Grove, Plymouth and St. Paul, as well as by phone and online at www.TopLinecu.com. Membership is available to anyone who lives, works, worships, attends school or volunteers in Anoka, Carver, Dakota, Hennepin, Ramsey, Scott or Washington Counties and their immediate family members.