In response to the growing trend of teaching financial literacy to youth, Maine State Credit Union has launched a new product, Marty the Mountain. This product is designed to help children learn how to save and manage money. It is designed to create a foundation for future financial savings success.

“Marty the Mountain was the brainchild of one of our member services representatives in Waterville, Randi Gurski,” said Stephen Wallace, President, and CEO of Maine State Credit Union, in a news release.  “Randi noticed that she did not see a lot of kids coming into the branch to make a deposit, nor did she see a lot of youth accounts being open.  She spoke with several of our leaders and got the green light to build one.”

Key Features of Marty the Mountain:

• Provides financial service representatives and tellers the opportunity to engage kids in financial literacy.

• Makes learning about money management simple and fun for kids. 

Most children these days are more digitally savvy, but at the end of the day, money management and sound financial practices come down to learning to set goals and saving for what you want.

Marty is a fictional character who teaches children about setting financial goals, earning money, and the importance of saving. Each account comes with a workbook that contains helpful tips, charts, and fun activities. Children will receive a prize for every five deposits they make, as well as a sticker each time they come in and deposit to their account.

“This account is basic, but fun,” said Randi Gurski, Financial Services Representative in Waterville and product creator. "The aim was to create a product that teaches kids the importance of saving. The development of this product was a collaborative effort. I learned a lot, and if I had not taken the risk, I never would have understood how complex and how many steps it takes to build something like this.”

The launch of the Marty the Mountain product coincided with youth week at Maine State Credit Union, which happened during the April vacation from April 16-19.  Families can visit any Maine State Credit Union branch at anytime and learn more about Marty the Mountain and other products and services and open an account. 

About Maine State Credit Union 

Maine State Credit Union is one of the largest credit unions in Maine, with over $690 million in assets. Located in Augusta, Maine, it employs over 130 Mainers has been on the list of Best Places to Work in Maine for the past twelve years, and recognized by Forbes as one of the best credit unions in Maine for the past two years.  Founded in 1935 in Augusta to give members a place to take out a loan, it now has over 35,000 members and is open to all Mainers in Androscoggin, Cumberland, Kennebec, Knox, Lincoln, Somerset, Sagadahoc, and Waldo counties. Learn more at MaineStateCU.org.