MINNEAPOLIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Students can win up to $3,000 to fund their savings goal, plus $1,500 for their school by entering U.S. Bank’s Lights, Camera, Save! video contest. The videos need to show viewers how to save and use money wisely.
“Lights, Camera, Save! allows teens to role play and record their thoughts on a 60 to 90 second video about saving and using money wisely,” said Erica Opstad, manager of The Office of Corporate Citizenship and Financial Education for U.S. Bank. “It’s a fun and educational way to get young people to think about money management and why it’s relevant to their lives and future.”
“Lights, Camera, Save” is one of several components of the American Banker Association’s Teach Children to Save program. The video contest encourages teens to use video to communicate the value of saving and inspire others to become smart money managers. To participate in the contest, students ages 13 to 18 can visit a U.S. Bank branch or log onto www.usbank.com/lightscamerasave for an entry form and contest details from Nov. 1 through Nov. 30, 2012. U.S. Bank will host the first round of judging and will submit one winning video to compete on the national level.
“In addition to being fun and exciting, at the end of the day we hope teens will take action and start saving money at a younger age, and encourage younger siblings, neighbors and relatives to do the same,” said Opstad.
Earlier this year, Leo Moneymaker and Alex Colucci of San Juan Capistrano, Calif., created the winning entry for U.S. Bank, which is posted on YouTube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1bCtjy9QOxM. The “Save Song” is an original rap about the benefits of saving and the danger of carrying too much debt, which they performed as “Young Muny & Lil Savings.” Moneymaker and Colucci won a $1,000 U.S. Savings Bond from U.S. Bank. The duo also placed second in the American Banker Association’s national contest bringing home an additional $1500.
"It's really easy to be distracted by the many enticing new products and deals on the market these days. Saving money can be as simple as reminding yourself what you really need to buy before walking into a store in order to avoid buying twice as much as u need," said Moneymaker.
"I have learned that saving money is essential in today's economy,” said Colucci. “Putting 10 to 15 percent, maybe even 20 percent of your earnings away at a time gradually adds up and helps you in times of need. I used to blow through my money, but now that I am 18 and have a job, I know that saving is necessary and I put a small amount away every month, without fail."
Moneymaker and Colucci provide free tips online on making a video. Their tips include be original, creative and challenge yourself. The video can be accessed at: www.youtube.com/watch?v=GkZoGTRzUa0&feature=em-uploademail
To learn more about the contest visit www.usbank.com/lightscamerasave. In addition, U.S. Bank rewards customers when they open a Savings Today and Rewards Tomorrow (S.T.A.R.T.) account. Customers receive a $50 Visa rewards card when their account reaches $1,000 in savings, and then another $50 card if the customer keeps that balance for a year. S.T.A.R.T. is designed to help customers create a savings habit. You can see a full description atwww.usbank.com/start.
About U.S. Bank
Minneapolis-based U.S. Bancorp (NYSE: USB), with $353 billion in assets as of June 30, 2012, is the parent company of U.S. Bank National Association, the fifth-largest commercial bank in the United States. The company operates 3,080 banking offices in 25 states and 5,085 ATMs and provides a comprehensive line of banking, brokerage, insurance, investment, mortgage, trust and payment services products to consumers, businesses and institutions. U.S. Bancorp and employees are dedicated to improving the communities they serve, for which the company earned the 2011 Spirit of America Award, the highest honor bestowed on a company by United Way. Visit U.S. Bancorp on the web at www.usbank.com.
Amy Frantti, U.S. Bank Public Relations
(612) 303- 0733, amy.frantti@usbank.com
Source: U.S. Bancorp