If you have been in the presence of a financial literacy teacher for more than a minute, you have probably heard these statistics from Harris Interactive:

• 56% of American adults don't have a budget or track their expenses. 
• 28% of adults admit to not paying all of their bills on time.
• 41% of adults would give themselves a "C," "D" or "F" in personal finance.

Many financial literacy programs offered by credit unions tend to focus solely on educating members. How often, though, do credit union employees experience these same financial issues? The assumption that all credit union employees are somehow better with their personal finances is dangerous. While placing a focus on providing financial literacy to external members, a strong case can be made for the benefits of extending the same training to credit union employees, who are, after all, internal members.

In 2009 Meritrust Credit Union began to offer Dave Ramsey's Financial Peace University to employees as part of the employee wellness program. Twenty-nine employees (and their spouses) have attended the program with outstanding results. Although not every participant agrees 100% with Dave's stringent plan, many have expressed their gratitude for being given the opportunity to learn. As a group they have decreased their debt by over $70,000, increased their savings by over $12,000 and report feeling more in control of their finances. 

Are we on the right track? I think so. Could we be doing even more? Absolutely.