OneUnited Bank and Big Brothers Big Sisters Launch 16th Annual “I Got Bank!” Financial Literacy Contest
OneUnited Bank has partnered with Big Brothers Big Sisters of America for the 16th annual “I Got Bank!” National Financial Literacy Contest. The 2026 contest will give 10 children ages 8 to 12 the opportunity to win a $1,000 savings account while demonstrating what they have learned about managing money.
The partnership brings together OneUnited Bank, a Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI), and Big Brothers Big Sisters, a national youth mentoring organization. The organizations said the initiative is intended to expand access to financial literacy resources and help mentors and children develop practical money-management skills.
The contest was created in response to limited financial literacy resources available to some urban youth. OneUnited Bank President and Owner Teri Williams authored I Got Bank! What My Granddad Taught Me About Money as part of the bank’s broader financial education efforts.
Children participating in the contest must read a financial literacy book of their choice and demonstrate how they would apply what they learned to their daily lives. Participants can submit either a 250-word essay or an art project, and OneUnited Bank provides a free “I Got Bank” e-book for children who want to participate.
Entries must be emailed or postmarked by November 20, 2026. OneUnited Bank will select 10 winners, with each recipient receiving a $1,000 savings account at the bank by December 29, 2026. Contest information and official rules are available at OneUnited Bank’s contest page.
Gale Nelson, President and CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Miami, said the Miami organization spearheaded the national partnership. He said the program gives mentors an opportunity to incorporate financial literacy into their relationships with participating children.
The 2025 contest winners were Jasmine Curd, 12, of Blue Springs, Missouri; Andrew Elus, 11, of Miami, Florida; Rusty Fisher, 12, of Apple Valley, California; Jai Irby, 12, of Boston, Massachusetts; and Brandon Littlejohn, 12, of Newnan, Georgia.
The remaining 2025 winners were Jalonie Lue Shue, 12, of Miami, Florida; Zoë Madison Orndorff, 9, of Homestead, Florida; Arfa Mohamed, 8, of Rocklin, California; Alanna Oguadimma, 9, of Milton, Massachusetts; and Jacob Phillips, 8, of Missouri City, Texas.
For more information about the official contest rules, please visit: www.oneunited.com/BBBS.