By LIDDIE MARTINEZ 
President, Los Alamos Region
Enterprise Bank & Trust, Member FDIC 

As the new school year begins, it’s important to highlight the value of teaching young people about financial literacy.

From our student banking offerings, to our free Enterprise University: College Edition financial courses, Enterprise Bank & Trust strives to help younger generations understand the importance of managing and protecting their hard-earned money.

For more than eight years, members of Enterprise’s Community Development department have taught a variety of financial courses from ‘Basic Budgeting’ to ‘Understanding Your Credit’ to young people on multiple Native American tribal reservations.

Although the pandemic halted some of these efforts, Enterprise continues to offer virtual financial education courses to youth on Native American reservations and throughout Northern New Mexico by partnering with organizations such as the Santa Fe Children’s Museum, Youth Conservation Corps and Youth Works.

As a Board member of Think New Mexico, a results-oriented think tank focused on improving the lives of New Mexicans, I work to provide students with tools to ensure their financial independence.

In New Mexico public schools, financial literacy is currently offered as an elective, but unfortunately only 11% of students are taking the course. This year, the Think New Mexico Board is working with the state of New Mexico to make a one-semester class in financial literacy a graduation requirement.

I’m grateful to Enterprise for supporting my time and involvement as a Think New Mexico Board member and for prioritizing youth financial education across our regions.