Treynor Financial Literacy Program

Mick Guttau spoke at the Treynor Optimist Club this week about the new Financial Literacy program at the Treynor Schools.  Bob Mantell will be the director.  He applied for the job and took a pay cut when he accepted the position.

Treynor State Bank is funding the first five years of the Financial Literacy program.  It will involve students from Kindergarten through 12^th grade.  The goal is to introduce money and financial concepts to the lower grades and make the program interesting enough for High School students that adults will want to participate also.

Mick said that they have not found a similar program anywhere in the United States.  They have seen interest from across the country in this program.  Nadine Johnson from the University of Northern Iowa and others have been helping develop concepts for the program.

Financial illiteracy contributed to the financial loan problem in the world today.  Lending institutions and people need to understand the consequences of borrowing 105% of the value of a house when purchasing it, the imitations of variable rate housing loans, and excessive credit card debt.