SALT LAKE CITY — Students at Backman Elementary School are learning financial literacy skills early thanks to a statewide program focused on teaching kids how to save, spend and plan for the future.
Zions Bank CEO Nate Callister joined more than a hundred students Tuesday for Teach Children to Save Day, which brought financial education lessons to second and sixth graders.
The program also included appearances from U.S. Ski and Snowboard athletes, who shared their experiences with discipline, goal-setting and money management.
Callister told students that building smart financial habits early can make a long-term difference.
"So, I think the earlier we teach kids just the importance of making good decisions with money and saving money, it'll help them later in life," Callister said.
He also emphasized the importance of preparing for unexpected expenses.
"Have a rainy day fund or an emergency fund. You just never know what's going to happen in life, so if you have some money stocked away in a piggy bank or savings account, it can help when having those unexpected costs in life," he said.
U.S. Alpine ski racer Annika Hunt also spoke with students, reflecting on what she wishes she had learned earlier.
"I didn't understand money fully, I would say. It would have been real helpful to have someone like Nate come and speak to my class," Hunt said.
Organizers said the program has reached thousands of students over the years and is designed to make financial literacy more accessible and relatable through hands-on activities, including lessons on saving, spending and setting aside money for emergencies.
Teach Children to Save Day is part of a nationwide effort to improve financial literacy among elementary school students.
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Tyrese Boone
