Vernon Building Society has marked International Youth Day with the launch of a six-week financial education initiative aimed at people aged 13 to 21.
The Smart Money Summer campaign will run until the start of UK Savings Week in late September, seeking to build financial confidence among Generation Z and raise awareness of the society’s youth-focused products.
The programme centres on four short videos, each paired with an article, designed for different stages of financial maturity. The content will be hosted on a new online Money Skills Hub. Topics range from pocket money and savings accounts in Start Smart: Saving Young, created in partnership with WizeUp, to budgeting tips in Spend Wise: Teen Budgeting.
Money Moves: First Payday, produced with Stockport-based Talk About Money, looks at managing first wages, while Big Steps: Uni Life covers student loans, accommodation costs and Buy for Uni mortgages.
The campaign will be promoted through e-newsletters to members, branch displays, social media, PR activity and the support of Greater Manchester youth organisations that have received grants from the Vernon Charitable Foundation and the society’s Community Stars programme.
During UK Savings Week, Vernon will partner with financial education app Doshi, encouraging members to download the app and use its micro-learning modules on saving, borrowing and investing. The app uses gamification techniques and will run a competition throughout the week, with 20 Amazon gift cards worth up to £100 to be won.
The launch builds on Vernon’s existing work with WizeUp, which delivers financial education sessions in Greater Manchester schools. Over the past two years, the programme has reached 2,857 children aged 10 to 13 across eight schools, covering topics such as tax, credit cards, pensions and student finance.
Darren Ditchburn, chief executive of Vernon Building Society, said: “At the Vernon we recognise the importance and value of instilling good financial education from a young age. Our new Smart Money Summer campaign extends our commitment to ensuring young people can make sensible financial decisions.
“We hope it resonates well with young savers, teen spenders and young adults starting out in their first jobs or looking to buy their first house. You’re never too young to take control of your finances.”
Vernon offers a range of products for younger customers, including Buy for Uni, Head Start and high LTV mortgages, as well as a Young Savers account.
