History of the ABA Foundation

The Early Years of the Foundation 

1925: The Foundation for Education in Economics Trust Fund was created to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the American Bankers Association. Funded through voluntary contributions, the trust fund sponsored college scholarships and research grants in economics, banking and finance. 

1971: The trust fund’s name changed to Fund for Education in Economics.  

1992: The fund’s name changed to the American Bankers Association Education Foundation, and the foundation became a 501(c)(3) that could raise funds outside of ABA.   

2013: The foundation was renamed the American Bankers Association Community Engagement Foundation (ABA Foundation) to expand its focus beyond education.    

Programmatic Highlights 

1971

• The Personal Economics Program (PEP), the foundation’s first consumer program, was implemented to help volunteer bankers make financial education presentations in their local schools and communities.    

1995 – 1999

• Broadened PEP to include all consumer education programs.
• Created an award-winning Money VHS series, produced in partnership with The Discovery Channel and The Learning Channel (TLC). “Money: Bucks, Banks & Business” and “Money: Kids & Cash” provided documentary-style programming for children in kindergarten through 12th grade.
• Created Teach Children to Save Program and held first annual Teach Children to Save Day.
• Created new credit education program In Charge. The name was later changed to Get Smart About Credit.
• Created Careers in Banking Kit.

2000 – 2002

• Celebrated ABA Foundation’s 75th anniversary at ABA Annual Convention.
• Explored new alliances such as Jump$tart Coalition for Personal Financial Literacy. Assumed responsibility for America’s Promise.
• Forged relationship with financial media expert Neale Godfrey.
• Partnered with Scholastic to develop personal finance materials for teachers.
• Created Consumer Education Starter Kit.
• Began partnering with Citigroup on annual Teach Children to Save Day.
• Started Consumer Connection column in ABA Bankers News

2003 – 2005

• Held the first annual Get Smart About Credit Day.
• Began development of the first pilot eLearning program.
• Began partnership with the Treasury Department for Teach Children to Save Day and Get Smart About Credit Day events.

2006 – 2009

• Held first congressional events for TCTS Day and GSAC Day.
• Set a new record on the 10th annual TCTS Day with Treasury with over 10,000 participating bankers.
• Developed an ABA Toolbox on Financial Education for ABA members.
• Education Foundation Board chairman testified on financial education before a House Financial Services subcommittee.
• Launched e-learning pilot program in English and Spanish.
• Revamped Consumer Connection section of aba.com, with more downloadable resources for bankers and for consumers in English and Spanish.
• Created Money Talks, a newsletter offering money tips for parents of kids, tweens, teens and young adults.

2010 – 2012

• Launch of Lights, Camera, Save! video contest for students ages 13-18.
• Launch of Community Commitment Awards for bankers.

2013 – 2019

• Held the first Community Development Tour.
• Launch of Safe Banking for Seniors.
• Collaborated with the Association of Military Banks of America to inform bankers about the new Blended Retirement System.
• Launched FinEdLink to match banks with schools, agencies, faith-based ministries, community centers and other organizations interested in a presentation from a banker on age-appropriate personal finance topics.
• Partnered with the Association of Military Banks of America and Better Business Bureau to create a Military Scams infographic.

2020 – 2024

• Created the ABA Foundation Disaster Relief Assistance Program.
• Created a Financial Caregiving Hub for Consumers.
• Created financial caregiving and scams videos for Safe Banking for Seniors.
• Created Get Smart About Credit scams videos.
• Launched a three-year goal to help 5 million people access financial education and get on the path to financial stability.
• Launched Community Conversations campaign and guide.
• Launched Unlocking Homeownership campaign and guide.

2025

• The ABA Foundation celebrates 100 years of providing banker resources that inform and empower their customers and communities.
• The ABA Foundation charts the course for the next 100 years of community change.