The California Council on Economic Education (CCEE) provides economics and financial literacy training and resources to K-12 teachers, students, and their families throughout California, especially in underserved communities. CCEE’s overarching mission is to help California’s students make better financial and personal decisions thereby improving their ability to succeed and compete in the global economy.
The California Council on Economic Education (CCEE) sponsored their annual National Personal Finance Challenge. The PFC engages students in a practical, critical thinking application of their knowledge and understanding of personal finance in a competitive setting, with a path to compete against students from across the country. Each year, hundreds of California students and teams participate in the challenge.

Teams are comprised of three to four students and begin with an online preliminary. At this year’s state finals held at the Federal Reserve Bank located in Downtown Los Angeles, teams were given a fictional case-study of an individual, couple or household with various financial challenges and goals, and the students prepare a financial plan for this client and deliver a presentation to a panel of judges. Student teams have not seen or prepared these financial plans prior to the state finals.

CTBC CRA Officer, Robert De Acevedo, and Community Outreach Officer, Linda Maldonado, joined other Bankers from Los Angeles to serve as Presentation Judges for this event. As Judges, they had the responsibility of evaluating the live student presentations for the contest final at the venue location. Following an extensive evaluation and scoring matrix, the winning team will receive cash prizes as well as advance to the national semi-finals.

CRA Officer, Robert De Acevedo (right 2), Community Outreach Officer, Linda Maldonado (left 5), along with a team of students at the California Council on Economic Education Personal Finance Challenge event on April 12, 2023.

Junior Achievement's purpose is to inspire and prepare young people to succeed in a global economy.

Junior Achievement is the nation's largest organization dedicated to giving young people the knowledge and skills they need to own their economic success, plan for their futures, and make smart academic and economic choices.

JA's programs—in the core content areas of work readiness, entrepreneurship, and financial literacy—ignite the spark in young people to experience and realize the opportunities and realities of work and life in the 21st century.

Flushing Branch’s Jack Lin and Katherine Cai (CRE 163) joined a team of volunteers at the new JA Brooklyn site located at 1 Dekalb Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11201. Students from Roosevelt High School received hands on insight on budgeting and financial literacy.

Junior Achievement USA is a nonprofit that inspires and prepares young people for success. JA partners with corporations and individuals to fund the programs that are delivered to local students in low to – moderate income neighborhoods. In-person or Virtual opportunities are available to which volunteers, along with Junior Achievement staff, make a profound difference in the youth of our community.

One Thursday in May, nineteen (19) CTBC Bank USA staffs hosted approximately 60 11th graders from Panorama High School to execute a household budget simulation. Each student was provided with a tablet, an avatar, and an assigned family scenario. Each CTBC Bank USA team was partnered with up to 4-5 students to replicate the budget experience. In addition, students got a chance to visit business storefronts, as well as purchase items to meet the needs of their family, such as insurance, clothing, transportation, housing, groceries, and childcare – without spending more than they earn.

By the end of the day, students get the opportunity to have a hands-on learning experience that the JA programs provide. Not only did CTBC Bank USA provide budgeting and savings tips but also got a chance to share their professional or personal experiences that align with JA program content which helps students see how JA can help them achieve their dreams!

Nineteen (19) CTBC Bank USA staff attended the J.A. Finance Park to provide budgeting and savings tips and got a chance to share their professional or personal experiences with the students.	11th graders from Panorama High School

CTBC Bank USA is pleased to present a donation of $10,000 to Montebello Housing Development Corporation. This contribution is in support of financial literacy and homebuyer education workshops aimed at individuals and families of low- and moderate- income (LMI) who wish to become first-time homebuyers.

Anne Vilagut, Operations Manager, Montebello Housing Development Corp (MHDC)., Karla Paniagua, Administrative Assistant, Montebello Housing Development Corp, Robert De Acevedo, SVP & CRA Officer, CTBC Bank USA, Esther Sanchez, Administrative Assistant, Montebello Housing Development Corp,, Linda Maldonado, CRA Analyst, CTBC Bank USA, Robert Monzon, President, Montebello Housing Development Corp.	Anne Vilagut, Operations Manager, Montebello Housing Development Corp., Lesly Gonzalez, Program Assistant, Montebello Housing Development Corp., Karla Paniagua, Administrative Assistant, Montebello Housing Development Corp, Esther Sanchez, Administrative Assistant, Montebello Housing Development Corp Robert Monzon, President, Montebello Housing Development Corp.	Lesly Gonzalez, Program Assistant, Anne Vilagut, Operations Manager, Montebello Housing Development Corp., Karla Paniagua, Administrative Assistant, Montebello Housing Development Corp., Robert De Acevedo, SVP & CRA Officer, CTBC Bank USA, Esther Sanchez, Administrative Assistant, Montebello Housing Development Corp., Linda Maldonado, CRA Analyst, CTBC Bank USA, Robert Monzon, President, Montebello Housing Development Corp.

CTBC Bank USA is pleased to present a donation of $1,000 to the Asian Pacific Community Fund. This contribution is in support of the America Saves Local Campaign – LA Saves.

Linda Maldonado, CRA, CTBC Bank USA, Robert De Acevedo, SVP & CRA Officer, CTBC Bank USA, Chun Yen Chen, Executive Director, Asian Pacific Community Fund and Karen Fan, Operations Manager, Asian Pacific Community Fund.	Robert De Acevedo, SVP & CRA Officer, CTBC Bank USA, Chun Yen Chen, Executive Director, Asian Pacific Community Fund, Linda Maldonado, CRA, CTBC Bank USA

CTBC Bank USA is pleased to enclose a donation of $2,500 to Shelter Partnership. This contribution is in support of your efforts to serve homeless people across Los Angeles County.

Robert De Acevedo, SVP & CRA Officer, CTBC Bank, Councilwoman Jan Perry, Executive Director, Shelter Partnership Inc.	Robert De Acevedo, SVP & CRA Officer, CTBC Bank USA, Councilwoman Jan Perry, Executive Director, Shelter Partnership Inc., Linda Maldonado, CRA, CTBC Bank USA

CTBC Bank USA is pleased to present a donation of $10,000 to Children’s Hospital Los Angeles. This contribution supports low-income children and families treated at the Children’s Orthopedic Center.

Tiffanie Al-Nasser, Associate Vice President, Development Children's Hospital Los Angeles and Noor Menai, President & CEO, CTBC Bank USA

CTBC Bank USA is pleased to support DEA Educational Foundation with a donation in the amount of $10,000. CTBC Bank applauds the work of the DEA Educational Foundation which continues its efforts in meeting the needs of underserved communities.

Robert De Acevedo, SVP & CRA Officer, CTBC Bank USA, Jill Roberts, President & CEO, DEA Educational Foundation, Linda Maldonado, CRA Analyst, CTBC Bank USA