Michigan First Credit Union, headquartered in Lathrup Village with six Grand Rapids-area locations, launched the Money Mentor program in October 2018 as a free financial literacy initiative. The program was initially deployed in the metro Detroit market before expanding to West Michigan in August 2019. It addresses a documented gap in financial education, particularly for young adults who lack family or school-based guidance on money management fundamentals.
The Money Mentor program delivers financial education through multiple formats designed for accessibility: in-person group presentations, blog posts, educational videos, and social media content. The target demographic is 17- to 25-year-olds, and the curriculum covers money management basics and credit-building strategies. The program operates as a free service, with no stated fees or costs to participants. As a credit union initiative, it reflects Michigan First's broader commitment to financial literacy across its service communities.
Michigan First Credit Union distinguishes itself through a multi-tiered youth education approach. Beyond Money Mentor, the credit union operates a Young Bankers program for high school and elementary students, initially launched on Michigan's east side and expanded to at least one Grand Rapids school (Martin Luther King Jr. Leadership Academy). The organization is actively working with Grand Rapids Public Schools to expand this youth programming to additional classrooms, indicating institutional commitment to scaling financial education.
The primary limitation of this profile is the scarcity of detailed outcome data. The article does not provide participation numbers, completion rates, or measurable impact on participants' credit scores or financial behaviors. As a regional credit union program, availability is geographically limited to Michigan First's service areas. The program targets a specific age range (17-25), which excludes younger teens and older adults who may need foundational financial literacy. The reliance on multiple delivery formats (in-person, digital, social media) may create access barriers for individuals with limited internet connectivity or mobility constraints.