What does it take to be recognized as the 2025 “Community Champion” by the Maryland Financial Education and Capability Awards? It takes someone who consistently promotes economic opportunity and community empowerment by connecting individuals and businesses with banking and financial education. Someone like Janet Currie, the President of Greater Baltimore for Bank of America!
Courtesy photo
The nonprofits CASH (Creating Assets, Savings, and Hope) Campaign of Maryland, Maryland Council on Economic Education (MCEE), and the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) announced the 2025 winners of the twelfth annual Maryland Financial Education and Capability Awards during an in-person reception on March 10, 2025 in Annapolis, Maryland. The honorees are the sole winners in their categories statewide and highlight the importance of financial education for all age groups. Following the reception, the honorees were recognized for their excellence by the Maryland General Assembly during their evening Session in the State House.
The Maryland Financial Education and Capability Awards highlight the dedication and success of elementary, middle and high school public school teachers, community champions and outstanding organizations who deliver financial education. Financial education focuses on a range of financial management concepts and behaviors including: budgeting; careers and income; credit; savings; financial decision-making; and understanding values and habits about money. The awards were first imagined and funded by the late Sheldon K. Caplis, who was CASH’s first board president. They were developed by the CASH Campaign of Maryland and Maryland Council on Economic Education in conjunction with the Maryland Financial Education and Capability Commission to call attention to the importance of financial education to the lives of Marylanders. An easy and free way for people across the state to learn to better manage their personal finances is by accessing the Maryland CASH Academy. The statewide online source for free, stand-alone financial education webinars and classes can be accessed at www.mdcashacademy.org.
Each of the winning elementary, middle and high school teachers, outstanding organizations, and community champions receives a $1,000 financial award made possible by the Woodside Foundation and the Maryland Society of Accounting and Tax Professionals (MSATP). The CASH Campaign of Maryland, Maryland Center on Economic Education, and Maryland State Department of Education thank them all for their support.
CASH spoke with Janet Currie to find out how she feels about this award and the importance of financial education in the community:
CASH: What does this award mean to you?
Currie: “As president of Bank of America Greater Maryland, I am committed to promoting economic mobility and expanding opportunities within our community. Receiving this award is both an honor and a reminder of the importance of financial education in empowering individuals to take control of their futures.”
CASH: Why is financial education important to you and Bank of America?
Currie: “I really believe that financial education is integral to overall life success. Whether managing a paycheck, building savings and credit, owning a home, starting a business, investing, or making a positive impact in the community, financial literacy can set people on the path to achieving their larger life goals. At Bank of America, we are dedicated to providing banking solutions and financial education resources that help individuals and communities thrive.”
CASH: Could you share some of your financial education experiences with us?
Currie: “Throughout my career at Bank of America, I’ve had the privilege of supporting partnerships and programs that empower our community through financial education. We provide programs, like Better Money Habits https://bettermoneyhabits.bankofamerica.com/en, which offer easy-to-understand content, available in both English and Spanish, to help individuals understand their finances, make confident choices, and improve their financial health. Through partnerships with nonprofits like the CASH Campaign of Maryland and the Maryland Council for Economic Education, we have been able to bring those tools to our customers and our community. Additionally, alongside our local bankers, I am able to bring this valuable curriculum directly to additional nonprofits and schools, ensuring those who can benefit most have access to the knowledge and skills they need to succeed.”
CASH: We understand you will not be accepting the $1,000 award but donating it – to whom?
Currie: “I will donate the award equally to the CASH Campaign of Maryland and the Maryland Council on Economic Education – two nonprofits that are dedicated to creating opportunities and uplifting our community.”
Let’s all send a hearty “Congratulations” to Janet Currie for this well-deserved honor.
She is a true Community Champion!