National Award Goes to Local Credit Union for Youth Financial Literacy Education

MAPLE GROVE, MN--(Marketwired - January 20, 2015) - After winning two statewide awards from Minnesota Credit Union Network (MnCUN) earlier this year, TopLine Federal Credit Union came out nationally with an award from Credit Union National Association (CUNA), for superior youth financial education programs benefiting the credit union's members and communities.

TopLine's honor includes honorable mention Desjardins Youth Financial Education Award for its initiative, "Get Smart with Your Money™," an ongoing education effort for school-aged children and young adults in the Twin Cities metro. Through educational seminars targeted at various age groups, the credit union encourages students and parents to start conversations regarding spending, saving and sharing money wisely. TopLine also partners with teachers at local elementary, middle and high schools, college campuses and non-profits to further educate students of all ages on the importance of saving and good financial management.

TopLine's lessons focus on teaching good money habits by helping students understand how to manage personal finances. Each interactive session illustrates how to compare needs to wants; set financial goals; craft a budget; importance of saving; spending wisely; how to use a checking account and debit card; and ways to protect private information from identity theft. The students are then encouraged to continue the conversation at school and home.

The award is named after Alphonse Desjardins, who founded the first credit unions in the U.S. and Canada. Award-winning entries will be on display at CUNA's 2015 Governmental Affairs Conference, March 8-12, in Washington, D.C., and award winners will be honored during a March 11 reception.

"Teaching children and young adults about sound money management is a deeply valued commitment of TopLine -- it's an integral part of who we are and what we do, to provide kids with the financial understanding they need now to help them make smart financial decisions throughout their lives," said Tom Smith, TopLine's President and CEO. "We are honored to learn that TopLine has been acknowledged by our industry peers for our youth financial education efforts."

TopLine offers financial literacy seminars for young people throughout the year at their Maple Grove Learning Center, and will visit interested schools or other groups to present age-appropriate lessons about personal money management. Please visit www.Toplinecu.com or call 763-391-0872 to check for upcoming sessions or to arrange a special session at your location.

Credit Union National Association (CUNA), based in Washington, D.C., and Madison, Wisconsin, is the premier national trade association serving America's credit unions. The not-for-profit trade group is governed by volunteer directors who are elected by their credit union peers. With its network of affiliated state credit union leagues, CUNA serves America's 6,950 state and federally chartered credit unions, which are owned by more than 98 million consumer members.

TopLine Federal Credit Union, a Twin Cities-based credit union, is Minnesota's 13^th largest, with assets of more than $350 million. Established in 1935, the not-for-profit cooperative offers a complete line of financial services, as well as auto and home insurance, from its five branch locations -- in Bloomington, Brooklyn Park, Maple Grove, Plymouth and in St. Paul's Como Park -- as well as by phone, mobile app 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.

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