PSECU expands financial literacy efforts in Lehigh Valley

LVB: Financial literacy has always been an important part of PSECU‘s mission. How did that all get started? 

Richards: Financial education has really been part of PSECU’s identity from the beginning. As a credit union, we were built on the philosophy of people helping people, and empowering members with financial knowledge is one of the most meaningful ways we live that out. 

Long before we had a formal financial education team, there was a Speaker’s Bureau made up of employees who went out into the community to teach the basics of saving, budgeting, and using credit responsibly. That work laid the foundation for the programs we offer today, making sure people have the tools they need to make confident decisions about their money. 

LVB: Where and how do you reach out to the community to provide help with financial literacy? 

Richards: Our Community Managers spend most of their time out in the community partnering with schools, colleges, nonprofits, and employers to make financial education accessible to anyone who needs it. 

In the Lehigh Valley specifically, we work closely with colleges like Kutztown University, Lehigh University, East Stroudsburg University, Reading Area Community College, and Northampton Community College. We also partner with the Allentown and Parkland School Districts to support K–12 students. 

Beyond the classroom, we collaborate with nonprofits and local employers to offer free workshops—both virtual and in person—on topics like budgeting, credit, and saving for the future. These sessions are always well received because they’re practical, easy to apply, and designed to meet people wherever they are in their financial journey. 

LVB: What are the most common things people need to know about banking and their personal finances? 

Richards: It really depends on the audience, but the core topics tend to be the same: saving money, understanding credit, budgeting, investing for the future, and protecting yourself from fraud. 

One concept that surprises a lot of people is “paying yourself first.” Once people understand the idea of putting money into savings before spending, you can almost see the light bulb go on. Emergency savings is another area where we see a big gap. Many people don’t realize how important it is to have three to six months of income set aside, or that most Americans can’t cover a $1,000 emergency without borrowing. 

Recent events like government shutdowns or shifts in the economy make this even more real. Life can change quickly, and having savings in place gives people stability during unexpected moments. 

The work we do is entirely free to the community, and it’s incredibly rewarding to see how much it can change someone’s confidence and financial trajectory. 

LVB: Do you have any upcoming financial literacy projects? 

Richards: Yes, our team is currently developing a virtual version of our Financial Reality Fair, which is a hands-on budgeting simulation that gives students a real-life look at the financial decisions adults make every day. It’s always one of the most impactful programs we offer and bringing it online will allow us to reach even more students across the region. 

We’re also continuing to expand our partnerships with schools, colleges, and community organizations. PSECU is always open to collaborating with new partners to bring financial education to more people in the Lehigh Valley and beyond.