Murphy Wall Success Story

</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[Murphy-Wall State Bank And Trust Company helped achieve the ABA Education Foundation's nationwide goal of providing 1 million children with financial education in 2009 by reaching over 650 students in Pinckneyville and over 250 students in Murphysboro.

The foundation launched the Million Child Challenge on April 21, 2009, its 14th annual Teach Children to Save Day. The ambitious goal was set to help meet the increased demand for financial education and capitalize on the "national teachable moment" caused by the faltering economy. "Students know how to download to their phones and computers but know little about managing a bank account or their finances, which is scary in today's economy," explained Claudia Choate, Murphy-Wall State Bank VP/Marketing.

Murphy-Wall State Bank and Trust Company used the Million Child Challenge as an opportunity to visit classrooms and speak with young people about using money responsibly. Lessons focused on good personal finance skills such as budgeting, saving, building a strong credit history and using credit wisely. "Without bank's like Murphy-Wall State Bank, meeting the challenge would not have been possible," said Laura Fisher, director of the ABA Education Foundation. "We have a big job ahead of us in creating a financially literate America, but bankers have shown they are ready and willing to do their part."

Participating in the Million Child Challenge is just one of Murphy-Wall State Bank's many ways of contributing to our community. Murphy-Wall also is partnered with the Illinois State Treasurer's Office with the Bank At School Program along with many other community events and sponsorships in both Pinckneyville and Murphysboro.

Murphy-Wall State Bank and Trust Company is an independent bank that traces its roots to 1874. It serves Pinckneyville, Murphysboro, Perry and Jackson Counties and Southern Illinois with a variety of banking services. Member FDIC and Equal Housing Lender.