Press
Biz Kid$ Team Rings Closing Bell at NYSE
Contact: RoxAnne Kruger
Washington Credit Union League
Office: 206.340.4771
Mobile: 206-890-0530
The Emmy Award-winning series Biz Kid$, the youth-focused and credit union-funded financial education show on public television, will celebrate the launch of the four season by ringing the closing bell at the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) on Wednesday, April 28.
The Biz Kid$ team is visiting NYSE in celebration of National Financial Literacy Month, which is recognized as a time to highlight the importance of financial literacy and teach Americans how to establish and maintain healthy financial habits.
Bringing down the gavel to officially close the New York-based bourse will be Seattle-natives Kaelon Horst, Alexander Oki and Austin Siedentopf, three of the show’s young stars; executive producers Jamie Hammond and Jeannine Glista; and WCUL President & CEO John Annaloro, representing the show’s exclusive underwriters, America’s Credit Unions, a coalition of nearly 200 credit unions, credit union foundations, non-profits, service providers and individuals.
It is a real honor to have the opportunity to ring the bell at the Stock Exchange,†said Glista, “particularly in light of Financial Literacy Month. Now, more than ever, we need understanding of our financial world so that we can avoid the problems of the past few years.â€
She added that the newest episodes, funded entirely by the credit union system, were some of the best—and most timely—that they had ever made.
WCUL President Annaloro reiterated these sentiments. “This hit series has been such a success,†he noted. “Ringing the closing bell is just the latest recognition of Biz Kid$’s importance and scope, as well as all the work and dedication that the credit union community.
“It is great to be bringing financial literacy to the home of modern finance.â€
Also in attendance will be Mark S. Brantley, Chairman of the Board of Municipal Credit Union, representing the African American CU Coalition; Clifford Rosenthal, President & CEO of the National Federation of Community Development Credit Unions; Kent Buckham, Director of NCUA’s Office of Consumer Protection; and Morgan Stanley Smith Barney Vice President Ray Harris.
Companies use these end-of-trading ceremonies to celebrate and highlight successes. Biz Kid$ was involved in a similar event last April at the NYSE’s cross-street rival, NASDAQ.
Along with ringing the bell, multiple events are being held to expand the use of Biz Kid$ and highlight the importance of financial literacy. Biz Kid$ is partnering with the New York PBS station WNET to host a teaching session to demonstrate the show’s curriculum and collateral materials to New York City teachers.
Young entrepreneurs profiled on the show will also be teaching the City’s youths during a separate workshop about how to start their own business ventures and the importance of financial literacy.
WCUF has instigated a new donation recognition program whereby contributors receive thank gifts for their support of the show, which increase along with the level of giving. Gifts include signed thank letters, DVDs, t-shirts, studio tours, and a chance to have a child appear on an episode of Biz Kid$.
Biz Kid$, which is filmed in Seattle, began airing nationwide in January 2008. It is now available on 99 percent of public television stations, bringing its message of financial responsibility and entrepreneurship to more than 230 million people. The show has been so well received that stations are airing it five-days a week and in high definition (HD). Each episode of Biz Kid$ comes with teaching materials, lesson plans and activities that meet national financial literacy standards—available on CD-ROM or via free download on the Washington Credit Union Foundation website. An expanded curriculum for five core modules is available in both Spanish and English.
NYSE Euronext, the holding company created by the combination of NYSE Group, Inc. and Euronext N.V., was launched on April 4, 2007. With more than 8,000 listed issues, NYSE Euronext is home to the world’s leading companies providing access to the global liquidity they need to collaborate, compete and grow. As the world’s leading and most liquid equities exchange group, NYSE Euronext powers the exchanging world and is comprised of equities and derivatives exchanges across the United States and Europe which trade cash equities, futures, options, fixed-income and exchange-traded products.
The Washington Credit Union Foundation a 501 (c) 3 philanthropic organization serving Washington Credit Unions. Its mission is to support and promote credit union development and credit unions’ commitment to social responsibility.
Now on its 76th year of service to the state’s credit union community, the Washington Credit Union League is the state trade association for the 118 financial cooperatives that serve more than 2.6 million Washingtonians. Since 1934 the League has played an important role in ensuring the health and vitality of the state’s credit unions and is part of a nationwide support network that includes the Credit Union National Association (CUNA), CUNA Mutual Group, and the World Council of Credit Unions.
Biz Kid$ Official Website:
Biz Kid$ Contribution Form:
http://www.waleague.org/index.php?CURRENT_PAGE_ID=1571
NYSE Video of Ceremony:
A live webcast of The Closing Bell (beginning at 3:59 p.m.) will be available on the homepage of nyse.com