News Summary
Ascend Federal Credit Union hosted 14 financial literacy workshops, reaching over 650 college students across five campuses. This initiative aimed to equip students with essential financial skills, including budgeting, debt management, and long-term financial planning. The program included a $15,000 sponsorship for financial literacy events at Middle Tennessee State University, featuring a keynote speaker. Incentives like scholarships motivated student engagement, emphasizing Ascend’s commitment to community financial education. The article also discusses broader partnerships aiming to improve financial literacy across Tennessee.
Murfreeboro, Tennessee – Ascend Federal Credit Union, the largest credit union in Middle Tennessee, successfully hosted 14 financial literacy workshops in April 2025, reaching over 650 college students across five area campuses. This initiative aligned with Financial Literacy Month, aiming to equip students with vital financial knowledge for their future.
The workshops offered a comprehensive curriculum that included budgeting basics, understanding credit scores, debt management strategies, savings and investment fundamentals, and long-term financial planning. By collaborating closely with individual college campuses, Ascend tailored the workshop content to meet specific student needs, creating an interactive and engaging learning environment.
As part of the initiative at Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU), Ascend served as the presenting sponsor for the university’s campus-wide Financial Literacy Month events, contributing $15,000 to support various activities. This financial contribution helped fund a keynote address from renowned financial educator Manisha Thakor, enriching the educational experience for attendees.
In an effort to further motivate student participation, MTSU awarded scholarships to 19 students who attended the Financial Literacy Month events and submitted reflective videos about their learning experiences. This incentive successfully encouraged students to engage more deeply with the content presented during the workshops.
Ascend’s President and CEO emphasized the significance of fostering a strong financial foundation for students through personalized programming, highlighting the credit union’s mission to empower individuals with the necessary knowledge and resources for making informed financial decisions. Ascend Federal Credit Union serves more than 250,000 members and talks about having over $4.4 billion in assets, providing diverse banking services through 28 branches and over 55,000 ATMs globally.
The credit union’s commitment to advancing financial literacy is part of its broader strategy of community service, which includes hands-on financial guidance and educational programming aimed at helping individuals establish sound money habits.
In addition to Ascend’s efforts, the article mentions an upcoming partnership involving SoFi Technologies and tnAchieves, targeting the improvement of financial literacy for approximately 60,000 Tennessee students. This partnership, which entails a significant $2 million investment, aims to provide grants, one-on-one coaching, and resources to enhance college readiness for participants. As part of the Rising Stars Program, eligible Tennessee residents will also have the opportunity to register for a brokerage account and receive free stock.
Highlighting a pressing concern, Tennessee ranks low in financial literacy compared to national averages, indicating an urgent need for improved financial education. United Community Bank is taking steps to address these issues as well, emphasizing the importance of community collaboration in promoting effective financial literacy education.
Their initiatives include gamified financial literacy programs designed for children and participation in volunteer efforts supporting affordable housing projects through partnerships with organizations like Habitat for Humanity. These combined efforts represent a strong community commitment to enhance financial education and empower the next generation with the skills necessary for responsible financial management.
As more organizations venture into enhancing financial literacy, the importance of these educational efforts cannot be overstated. Equipping students with knowledge and skills becomes crucial as they navigate their financial futures, ultimately contributing to a more informed and financially capable society.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Peggy Stubblefield Retires from Ascend Federal Credit Union
Hamilton County Faces Increasing Poverty Due to High Living Costs
Hamilton County Schools Announces New Principal Appointments
Chattanooga Implements Health and Education Programs for Students
Hamilton County’s Initiatives for Children’s Health and Education
Chattanooga Mayor Announces New Leadership Appointments
New Leadership Appointments in Hamilton County Schools for 2025-2026
Hamilton County Schools Face Major Budget Deficit
Hamilton County Schools Lead in Financial Literacy Education
Celebrating Black Entrepreneurship in Chattanooga
Additional Resources
- CU Insight: Ascend Federal Credit Union Reaches More Than 650 Students
- 925 XTU: SoFi and Kelsea Ballerini Launch $2M Program for Financial Literacy
- Tennessean: Tennessee Money Management and Financial Literacy Education
- CNBC: What Students Learn About Financial Literacy in Nashville-Area Schools
- News Channel 5: Urban League of Middle Tennessee Uplifts Nashville’s Workforce
- Wikipedia: Financial Literacy
- Google Search: Financial Literacy Education Tennessee
- Google Scholar: Financial Literacy Programs
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Financial Literacy
- Google News: Financial Literacy Tennessee
Author: STAFF HERE CHATTANOOGA WRITER
The CHATTANOOGA STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREChattanooga.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Chattanooga, Hamilton County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Riverbend Festival, Chattanooga Oktoberfest, and Moon River Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Chattanooga Area Chamber of Commerce and United Way of Greater Chattanooga, plus leading businesses in manufacturing, insurance, and utilities that power the local economy such as Volkswagen Chattanooga, BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee, and EPB. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREBristol.com, HEREKnoxville.com, HEREMemphis.com, and HERENashville.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Tennessee's dynamic landscape.
