Financial Literacy Month: Building Confidence, One Conversation at a Time
By Ben Joergens, Old National Bank Financial Empowerment Program Director
April is Financial Literacy Month — a timely reminder that the most important financial tool many of us can build is confidence.
Whether someone is opening their first checking account, learning how credit works, trying to create a realistic budget, or planning for the long term, the questions are real, the stakes feel personal, and the path forward is clearer when you have a trusted guide.
Get comfortable
Financial literacy is personal. When people feel comfortable asking questions — without judgment — they’re more likely to take the next step, whether that’s building a budget, understanding credit, or simply getting organized.
At Old National Bank, we believe financial education is a cornerstone of strong communities. That’s why we’re equipped to host financial education workshops throughout our entire footprint, led by hundreds of licensed instructors who can meet people where they are—at work, at school, in community centers, and in neighborhood gathering places.
Why financial literacy matters — especially right now
Financial literacy isn’t about memorizing jargon — it’s about understanding options and tradeoffs so you can make decisions with clarity. When people have practical knowledge about spending, saving, borrowing, and protecting their identity, they’re better positioned to weather surprises, pursue goals, and reduce day-to-day stress around money.
In my experience, the biggest shift happens when someone moves from ‘I’m not good with money’ to ‘I can learn this.’ Education turns uncertainty into a plan.
Workshops designed for real life
Our workshops are built to be approachable, interactive, and tailored to the audience —whether that’s high school students, first-time homebuyers, young professionals, small business owners, or employees looking to strengthen everyday money habits. Sessions can be hosted in-person or virtually, and they focus on practical takeaways participants can use immediately.
What I’m proud of at Old National is our ability to bring this education to people across our entire footprint. With hundreds of licensed instructors, we can show up consistently — and we can tailor the conversation to what a specific community or workplace actually needs.
Because we have hundreds of licensed instructors across our footprint, we can deliver consistent programming at scale while still customizing content for local needs. Here are a few of the subjects we commonly cover:
- Budgeting basics and building a spending plan that works
- Understanding credit: scores, reports, and responsible borrowing
- Savings strategies and emergency funds
- Banking 101: accounts, digital tools, and avoiding common fees
- Homeownership education: preparing, financing, and planning ahead
- Fraud prevention and identity protection
- Planning for life milestones (college, career changes, retirement)
- Personal financial planning and investments
How to bring a workshop to your organization or community
If you’re an employer, school, nonprofit, or community group interested in hosting a workshop, Old National Bank can help you select the right topic and format.
The best place to start is by connecting with your local Old National banker or branch team and sharing a few details — your audience, preferred timing, location (or virtual), and the topics that would be most valuable. From there, we’ll work to match you with an instructor and design a session that fits.
A simple invitation for April — and beyond
Financial Literacy Month is a great moment to start the conversation, but the impact comes from keeping it going. If you or your organization want to help people feel more prepared for the decisions in front of them, I invite you to partner with Old National Bank. Together, we can create space for questions, provide clear information, and help build stronger financial foundations across the communities we serve.
If your school, nonprofit, or business is looking for a practical way to invest in people, hosting a workshop is a great place to start. We’ll meet your audience where they are and help make the financial basics easier to understand and act on.
For more on Real-Life Finance workshops and free resources, click here.
Note: Workshops and materials are provided for educational purposes and are not intended as specific financial, legal, or tax advice. Products and services are subject to eligibility and availability.
