Education in Action: Celebrating Financial Literacy Month 2018

In addition to being Community Bank Month, April is also Financial Literacy Month!

As a local community bank, we are committed to providing financial literacy programs and initiatives for individuals within the communities we serve. We strive to assist where we can, sharing the importance of financial education and will continue to do our part in building a foundation for financial success.

We take pride in the various initiatives we sponsor and are honored to have received the 2018 Illinois Bank Financial Literacy Award from the Illinois Bankers Association.

Scroll down to find out more information on how Stillman Bank contributes to the financial literacy movement!

EverFiTM Financial Literacy Program

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For seven consecutive years, Stillman Bank has been pleased to sponsor one of the latest initiatives to bring financial literacy education to area high school students, by providing them with access to the EverFiTM Financial Literacy Program.  Over the last seven years, over 500 students have participated in the program as part of their Consumer Education classes at Stillman Valley High School.

This interactive web-based program uses the latest in new media technologies – simulations, 3-D gaming, and social networking – to bring complex financial concepts to life for today’s digital generation.  The course is designed to empower young people with the essential skills needed to make sound financial decisions.  Stillman Bank provides this program to these high school students at no cost to the school.

The 10-unit course offers over six hours of programming in a variety of financial topics including

credit scores, insurance, credit cards, student loans, mortgages, taxes, stocks, savings, 401k’s and other critical concepts that map to national financial literacy standards.  The platform uniquely tracks the progress and performance of every student.

After students have completed the course, they are awarded a certificate of completion and thrown a certification celebration party, sponsored by the bank.

Local High School Classes/Presentations

Pictured above: President and COO Tom Hughes
Pictured above: Senior Vice President Pat Donahue

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Several of our employees visit local schools to educate the students about credit scores, student loans, small-business and other financial basics. Students are encouraged to participate and ask questions.

IT/CyberSecurity

Pictured above: Systems Administrator Ben Miller

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ben Miller, Stillman Bank’s Systems Administrator, visits local schools, retirement communities and local Chambers of Commerce to educate people about cybersecurity and identity theft. His presentation entitled “How To Protect Yourself From Fraud in the Digital Age” covers topics such as common security terms, secure web surfing, the dangers of identity theft, how to be safe on social media and the importance of secure passwords.

HomeStart Partnership

In 2018, we have partnered with HomeStart, a local community organization that helps connect people and families to beneficial, affordable housing resources and offers financial literacy workshops on a variety of financial topics. In February, they hosted several workshops that we helped market within all of our Ogle County offices.

Money Smart Week

 

In partnership with Money Smart Week of Northern Illinois and the local public libraries, Stillman Bank offers Retirement Planning Seminars where our Trust & Asset Management department covers a variety of trust-related topics and answers any questions attendees may have regarding retirement. 2018 will be our fifth consecutive year offering these seminars to the public.

Newsletters – Trust

We send out a monthly Trust newsletter, the Stillman Bank Trust UPDATE, to provide timely information and tips to our customers about trust topics including estate planning, investment management, retirement and more.

Home Buying & Selling Seminars

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In 2018, Stillman Bank began hosting Home Buying & Selling Seminars.

These seminars, hosted in a panelist style format, focus on the keys to buying and selling a home in the current market.

Website – Blog Stillman 2 Cents

On the bank’s blog, Stillman 2 Cents, we post helpful and informative content each week about various financial topics including trust, real estate, cybersecurity and more.

“Real Life” Expo – Stillman Valley High School

Pictured above: Retail Banking Representatives Liz Johnson and Jodi Peters

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In April of 2018, we participated in a “Real Life” Expo for the freshman & sophomore class at one of the local high schools. We were part of the “Savings and Contributions” booth and representatives from the bank were on-site to answer any questions the students may have.

Illinois Bank Financial Literacy Award

Pictured above: Senior Vice President Jim Coons accepts the Financial Literacy Award on behalf of Stillman Bank from IBA President Linda Koch

Stillman Bank was honored to be chosen as the 2018 recipient of the Illinois Bank Financial Literacy Award. This award, presented by the Illinois Bankers Association, recognizes an Illinois Bank that provides critical training and key financial resources in a progressive and thorough manner to residents in their communities.