Cardinal Credit Union partners with Cleveland Browns on kids saving program
Aug. 9—Cardinal Credit Union has been emphasizing financial education in area high schools for a decade.
Now, the Mentor-based financial institution is partnering up with the Cleveland Browns to reach a much younger, but still important, group of students.
According to a news release, Cardinal Credit Union which is a member-owned, not-for-profit financial cooperative is joining forces with the Browns as the official credit union of the team and offering a savings program called Lil Brownies Savings.
As part of their alliance, the credit union is launching a series of financial education initiatives aimed at educating today's youth on financial matters, particularly elementary and middle school students.
"Early education on financial wellness is a critical need today to set young people up for future success," Cardinal Credit Union CEO Christine Blake said. "Our new program — Lil Brownies Savings — is a great way to bring a winning strategy for financial education.
"Financial education has been a passion of ours through the work we have been doing in the community and with local area high schools for more than a decade," she added. "Now we are expanding our reach to include elementary and middle-school-aged children with the support of the Cleveland Browns."
Lil Brownies along with their parents will be able to open a free account with a Brownie the Elf debit card. Parents will be able to provide oversight for interactive financial activities including parental card controls, transaction requests and notifications, parental allowances and payment for grades, budgeting, and youth financial education tools, the release stated.
The accounts can be opened online or at any of Cardinal's seven retail branches.
Other perks for active Lil Brownies account holders include being placed in a drawing for autograph sessions at the Browns' training camp and for club seats to a Browns' home games, according to the release.
"Our partnership with Cardinal Credit Union presents a unique and exciting opportunity to engage with our younger fans across Northeast Ohio through financial education," said Erica Muhleman, senior vice president of corporate partnerships for the Cleveland Browns. "Cardinal Credit Union is passionate about supporting financial well-being and together with the Browns, the Lil Brownies Saving program will bring new and meaningful initiatives that positively impact our community's youth."
Cardinal Credit Union provides financial education throughout the community with an integrated financial education program at six area high schools and Lakeland Community College, where it operates several in-school branches. Students have a chance to learn more about positive money management through a hands-on approach.
All partner high school students with a school-branded debit card are eligible to obtain a Brownie the Elf savings card. This allows high school students to create positive financial habits while also being entered to win club seat tickets for Browns home games.
Cardinal Credit Union also offers its members access to complimentary financial education opportunities such as quarterly financial wellness workshops, in-person monthly Homebuyer Seminars, and a network of more than 20,000 surcharge-free ATMs.
For more information and to sign up, visit www.cardinalcu.com/clevelandbrowns.
