LANGLEY, B.C. – Youth across British Columbia are gaining access to engaging, real-world financial education through a partnership between Tru Cooperative Bank, formerly First West Credit Union, and ChatterHigh. Through the free, interactive platform, students are developing essential money management and career readiness skills that will support their long-term success.
Financial literacy is a cornerstone of lifelong success, yet most Canadians are falling behind. Research shows only 14% demonstrate strong financial knowledge, while 64% report they never received money management education in school. Even more telling, 84% believe learning these skills earlier would have made managing their finances far less stressful. Schools play a critical role in closing this gap. By integrating lessons on saving, budgeting, and credit into classrooms, educators can equip students with the tools they need—not just for their first paycheck, but for a lifetime of financial confidence and well-being.
Since forming this partnership, Tru Cooperative Bank and ChatterHigh have delivered interactive, gamified “research and learn” experiences that help students build essential financial skills. All Tru Cooperative Bank financial literacy content available to students on the ChatterHigh platform is created with certified financial advisors, ensuring every module and quiz reflects expert knowledge and real-world relevance.
“We believe that empowering young people with financial knowledge is essential for building resilient communities and brighter futures,” says Launi Skinner, CEO at Tru Cooperative Bank. “Our partnership with ChatterHigh is more than just an educational initiative—it reflects our vision to inspire financial confidence and optimism in the next generation by making financial literacy engaging and accessible.”
Since the partnership began, here’s how students in BC have benefited:
- Over 1,900 students from 66 schools have participated in interactive financial literacy activities.
- Together, they’ve answered over 52,000 quiz questions about saving, budgeting, and planning for their futures.
- Students are thriving: On average, they’re getting more than 8 out of every 10 questions right, showing real understanding and growth.
- Over 1400 students have completed specialized financial literacy modules, tackling 100 questions in the module to build lifelong skills.
“We’re thrilled to partner with Tru Cooperative Bank to bring gamified financial literacy education to students across British Columbia,” says Taylor Irving, Director of Operations at ChatterHigh. “By combining our interactive platform with Tru Cooperative Bank’s commitment to youth empowerment, we’re helping young people build confidence, resilience, and the financial skills they need for the future. Together, we’re making financial education accessible, engaging, and relevant for today’s learners.
ChatterHigh’s platform is widely used in classrooms across Canada, offering interactive content that fosters curiosity and prepares students for life after high school. In the 2024/2025 school year, more than 32,000 students across 1,000+ schools and 257 school districts answered nearly 6 million questions.
This partnership enables Tru Cooperative Bank to share financial education resources and career insights directly with students in an innovative, digital format. Through its broader community outreach, Tru Cooperative Bank has also shared these resources with community partners supporting newcomers to Canada, helping extend access to financial education beyond the classroom.