More than 4,500 students in 31 schools and locations throughout Hawaii, Guam, Saipan and Palau received lessons Thursday from Bank of Hawaii volunteers on the importance of saving as part of the 2019 American Bankers Association Teach Children to Save Day program.

Over 200 Bankoh employees spent time with elementary and middle school students exploring the importance of saving, how interest makes money grow, determining differences between needs and wants, and budgeting.

As part of the Teach Children to Save curriculum, parents are encouraged to take an active role in their children’s financial education, including:

>> Setting the example of a responsible money manager, active saver and conscientious spender.

>> Talking openly about money and encouraging children to ask questions.

>> Explaining the value of saving and budgeting.

The Teach Children to Save Day program is a national annual campaign of volunteer bankers who help young people develop lifelong savings habits. Nationwide the 2019 Teach Children to Save Day will be held on April 12. Bankoh volunteers will be working with students throughout April, which is also Financial Literacy Month, and May.

“The obvious opportunity for our volunteers here today is to give back to our local communities and to educate our younger generations about financial literacy,” Bankoh Vice President Kevin Shimamura said. “The less obvious and more long-term opportunity for us is to invest in our future leaders of Hawaii.

As part of Financial Literacy Month, the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs Office of the Securities Commissioner will host the 13th annual Financial Literacy Fair today from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Tamarind Park, Bishop Square, in downtown Honolulu. The event will feature government agencies and nonprofit organizations that will provide materials on saving and investing, insurance, homeownership preparation, dealing with credit, planning for retirement, tips on preventing financial fraud and more.