Chemical Bank employees will use their banking knowledge this month to encourage and inspire more than 6,000 students across Michigan to become life-long savers as part of National Financial Literacy Month and National Teach Children to Save Day.

This week Chemical Bank Representatives will be providing basic financial education to second graders at schools across the state.

“It is a pleasure working with local elementary schools to educate and inspire students to become regular savers,” said Todd Obren, Chemical Bank’s community president and senior lender. “Our Teach Children to Save Program introduces children to the concept of saving in addition to developing skills for financial success as our employees work to improve the overall quality of life in the communities we serve.”

The classroom visit will involve reading and discussing a storybook about Dollar the Silver Squirrel, Chemical Bank’s mascot.

Activities following this lesson include sharing money related goals and learning how money grows with time. After the session, students are encouraged to save their money at home in a piggy bank or container and when it is full, bring it to their local Chemical Bank and deposit it into their youth savings account.

In addition to the Teach Children to Save Program, Chemical Bank actively reaches out to youth by regularly visiting local schools, hosting student tours, participating in Junior Achievement and offering a minor savings account designed to help children learn to save.

Chemical Bank’s financial literacy efforts have also led them to be recognized by the Michigan Bankers Association as Financial Literacy Award Winners. To learn more, click on the Financial Literacy link at ChemicalBankMI.com.

Chemical Bank encourages children and their parents to visit the “For Kids” page at www.ChemicalBankMI.com/about/for-kids to download the free Banker Jr. financial literacy mobile app. Banker Jr. teaches young children ages 2 through 12 how to set savings goals, keep track of their accounts and other money concepts via a fun and interactive learning platform!

Chemical Financial Corporation is the second largest banking company headquartered and operating branch offices in Michigan. The Corporation operates through its subsidiary bank, Chemical Bank, with 175 banking offices spread over 47 counties in Michigan. At March 31, 2016, the Corporation had total assets of $9.3 billion. Chemical Financial Corporation’s common stock trades on The NASDAQ Stock Market under the symbol CHFC and is one of the issues comprising The NASDAQ Global Select Market.