Austin Bank has kicked off "Teach Children to Save" - an educational program dedicated to teaching East Texas elementary school students the importance of financial literacy.

As part of that educational program, Austin Bank has awarded Brittany Wheeler from Bullard Primary School a $50 Savings Bond. Miss Wheeler is a Kindergarten student who won the bank's Teach Children to Save coloring contest at her school.

"Teach Children to Save" focuses on saving, money management and math skills by providing area schools educational materials on these topics. Austin Bank gave area Kindergarten teachers a classroom workbook entitled, "Saving Money is Cool," and the book, A Dollar for Penny, as part of the program.

Working with 74 elementary schools, Austin Bank sponsored a coloring contest for Kindergarten students. A Kindergarten student from each participating school or school district was selected to receive a $50 Savings Bond. All the children were given educational handouts and a bank. In Bullard approximately 140 Kindergarten students from seven classes participated in the program.

Schools in all communities served by Austin Bank's 28 locations were invited to participate in "Teach Children to Save." Teaching tools and materials were distributed throughout East Texas to 296 classrooms which included 7,330 Kindergarten students from both public and private schools.

"We would like this program to help children gain money-management skills and be better prepared to make financial decisions in the future. All children should be encouraged to save, share and spend wisely as the basics of this program demonstrate," said Jeff Austin III, Vice Chairman of the Board.

"We want to thank the schools and their teachers for allowing students to participate in the 'Teach Children to Save' program. Austin Bank is proud to take an active role in the development of financial education of the youth of East Texas," said Austin "This program aims to incorporate a little fun into the classroom while promoting these important principles."

Austin Bank, a community bank with headquarters in Jacksonville, Texas, has in excess of $1 billion in assets with 28 offices in nine counties throughout East Texas. More information about Austin Bank can be found on the bank's website at www.austinbank.com.