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Busey Bank, Champaign, IL

Entry Year: 2018
Entry Category: Financial Education
Asset Size: Medium
Program Name: Busey's Budget Challenger

Program Summary:

Each year, Busey partners with Champaign, Illinois Unit 4 Schools' Youth Employment Services (YES) program for
at-risk teens. This initiative enrolls up to 125 low-to-moderate income high school students in the school district,
helping participants develop practical life skills while pairing them with summer employment allowing them to begin
building the foundation for life after high school.

The program itself brings in various partners throughout the community to not only provide employment for
participants, but to help students develop interview and resume building skills, engage them in community activism,
and provide financial literacy that will prepare them for the future.

Busey has partnered with YES since its inception 6 years ago—educating students on how to open bank accounts,
plan, and manage a budget through the Busey Budget Challenge, a live simulation exercise. Additionally, Busey
opens and waives savings accounts for all YES participants and provides an additional financial contribution to top
performing students in the program.