BOSTON, Oct. 1, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- OneUnited Bank, an award-winning Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI), is proud to announce its 16th Annual "I Got Bank!" National Financial Literacy Contest in partnership with Big Brothers Big Sisters America, the nation's preeminent one-to-one youth mentoring organization. The competition gives ten children across the country the chance to win a $1,000 savings account.
This organizational "match" reflects a shared commitment to nationwide financial literacy, equipping Bigs (mentors) and Littles (mentees) alike with tools to reach their full potential, create lasting economic empowerment and build brighter futures.
Driven by the shortage of financial literacy resources for urban youth, OneUnited Bank President & Owner, Teri Williams authored I Got Bank! What My Granddad Taught Me About Money. "We are thrilled to partner with Big Brothers Big Sisters of America to expand financial literacy," states Ms. Williams.
Children between the ages of 8 and 12 are encouraged to read a financial literacy book of their choosing, and either write a 250-word essay or create an art project to show how they would apply what they learned from the book to their daily lives. OneUnited Bank offers a free "I Got Bank" E-Book. Submissions must be emailed or postmarked by November 20, 2026. The Bank will choose ten winners and award each winner a $1,000 savings account at OneUnited Bank by December 29, 2026. For more information and official rules, please visit: www.oneunited.com/BBBS.
"OneUnited Bank has spent years making sure that even the littlest among us learn the language of money, and we are proud to build on that work," said Gale Nelson, President and CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Miami, which spearheaded the national partnership. "When a Little learns to save at eight years old, it builds more than a bank account. It builds confidence, discipline and a vision for the future. Through this partnership, our Bigs can help make financial literacy part of every match."
The 2025 winners are Jasmine Curd, 12, Blue Springs, MO, Andrew Elus, 11, Miami, FL, Rusty Fisher, 12, Apple Valley, CA, Jai Irby, 12, Boston, MA, Brandon Littlejohn, 12, Newnan, GA, Jalonie Lue Shue, 12, Miami, FL, Zoë Madison Orndorff, 9, Homestead, FL, Arfa Mohamed, 8, Rocklin, CA, Alanna Oguadimma, 9, Milton, MA, Jacob Phillips, 8, Missouri City, TX.
For more information about the official contest rules, please visit: www.oneunited.com/BBBS.
About OneUnited Bank: OneUnited Bank, America's leading Community Development Financial Institution, America's largest Black-owned bank, twelve-time recipient of the US Department of Treasury's Bank Enterprise Award including in 2026 for community development and named Inc. Magazine's Best in Financial Services 2024. For more info, please visit www.oneunited.com
About Big Brothers Big Sisters of America Founded in 1904, Big Brothers Big Sisters of America is the largest and most experienced youth mentoring organization in the United States. The mission of Big Brothers Big Sisters of America is to create and support one-to-one mentoring relationships that ignite the power and promise of youth. Big Brothers Big Sisters' evidence-based approach is designed to create positive youth outcomes, including educational success, avoidance of risky behaviors, higher aspirations, greater confidence, and improved relationships. Big Brothers Big Sisters serves more than 5,000 communities across all 50 states. For more information, visit: bbbs.org.
Media Contact: Suzan McDowell, Circle of One Marketing, [email protected], or 305-576-3790