Joined by fellow community bankers from across the country, as well as U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and top department officials, Gregg Tewksbury participated in a U.S. Department of the Treasury Financial Literacy Month Roundtable with Community Bank Leaders this week in Washington.
As one of 14 bank leaders invited to participate in the Roundtable, Tewksbury shared his perspective on the importance of financial literacy as the nation celebrates Financial Literacy Month. He also highlighted the efforts of NHMB’s three New Hampshire community banks, Meredith Village Savings Bank, Merrimack County Savings Bank, and Savings Bank of Walpole to expand access to high-quality financial education and the critical role that bank employees play in helping consumers of all ages make informed financial decisions. During the Roundtable, he offered input as the Treasury Department considers updates to the National Strategy on Financial Literacy.
“I want to express my gratitude to Secretary Bessent and the Treasury Department for organizing this Roundtable in honor of Financial Literacy Month,” said Tewksbury, who attended the event in Washington. “At the community banking level, financial literacy works best when it is practical, timely and rooted in local relationships. When education is paired with access to safe financial products and delivered through trusted community partners, it empowers individuals and families to build confidence, strengthen financial resilience and pursue long-term stability.”
“Our community banks are deeply committed to advancing financial literacy, financial capability and economic inclusion across the Granite State. Their efforts are designed to reach individuals across age, income and life stage, with a focus on practical, real-world decisions.”
Tewksbury further noted, “Our banks deliver financial education through local schools, nonprofit partnerships, various seminars led by our employees, and workforce organizations, as well as through one-on-one guidance in branches. Our teams support community members with core money skills such as budgeting and saving, understanding credit, preventing fraud and scams, and navigating important life moments such as opening a first account, financing a vehicle, buying a home or planning for retirement. These efforts are often complemented by nationally recognized resources such as the American Bankers Association Foundation’s Teach Children to Save, Lights, Camera, Save!, Safe Banking for Seniors, along with partnerships with the NH Bankers Association, New Hampshire Housing, the NH Community Loan Fund, and various other organizations.”
“Community banks have a unique ability to meet people where they are providing trusted and practical financial education,” said Roundtable participant Lindsay Torrico, Executive Director of the ABA Foundation. “We appreciated hearing Gregg detail how NHMB’s banks are working locally to improve financial literacy, and it was helpful to hear what’s working and where we still have work to do.”
The Roundtable gave Tewksbury the opportunity to learn more about innovative financial literacy efforts at other banks, as well as national programs offered by the ABA Foundation and other groups.
“I’m excited to take what I learned at the Roundtable and continue to strengthen our financial literacy work across our company,” said Tewksbury. “It’s important to our communities and our economy that we equip individuals and families with the tools and knowledge they need to make confident decisions and build lasting financial well-being.”
Photo Caption: Group Photo Treasury Roundtable – photo courtesy of ABA