Hofstra and Apple Bank Team Up to Promote Financial Literacy in the Community
Hofstra and Apple Bank Team Up to Promote Financial Literacy in the Community
September 29, 2025
HEMPSTEAD, NY - As a long-standing supporter of community education, Apple Bank continues its meaningful partnership with Hofstra University’s Money & Me program—an initiative that teaches financial literacy and money management skills to local students and families.
Partnering with Hofstra University’s Frank G. Zarb School of Business and the School of Education, Money & Me offers hands-on financial education while allowing Hofstra undergraduate and graduate students to engage directly with surrounding communities. Apple Bank’s sustained support over the past 5 years has been instrumental in expanding the Program’s reach and deepening its community impact.
“Apple Bank has been a consistent champion of Money & Me,” said Dean Janet Lenaghan, Zarb School of Business. “Their continued investment helps us build a strong foundation of financial knowledge among young learners and families throughout the region.”
“We’re proud to support Hofstra University’s Money & Me program, which plays a critical role in advancing financial literacy across our communities,” said Hofstra alumnus Steven G. Ekert, Head of Commercial Banking and Chief Lending Officer at Apple Bank. “Equipping young people with essential financial skills is more than a community service—it’s an investment in our region's long-term economic health and stability.”
The Program delivers a nine-week curriculum in local schools, focusing on key financial topics, such as budgeting, saving, credit, and responsible money habits. Lessons are designed to align with math and English Language Arts (ELA) standards, reinforcing classroom learning through real-life applications.
Volunteer Edward Uzhca ‘26, a finance major at Hofstra, shared how the experience has shaped both the young students and his professional development. “We provide the curriculum, answer questions, and spark a lot of curiosity on the topics the Program covers, such as budgeting, savings accounts, credit and debit cards, and credit scores,” Uzhca said. “In turn, I’m more comfortable speaking in front of a group and anticipating and handling the unexpected—I feel more confident.”
Curriculum highlights include:
- Wants vs. Needs – Teaching smart spending decisions
- Savings Accounts – Introducing the value of saving early
- Income and Expenses – Understanding earnings and obligations
- Budgets – Planning for long-term financial success
- Checking Accounts – Learning account management and fraud awareness
- Credit and Debit Cards – Using credit responsibly and understanding credit scores
To bring concepts to life, each class manages a Virtual Savings Account, earning virtual currency for participation and sound decisions. Students track interest and manage their balance to "purchase" classroom rewards, mirroring real-life saving and spending habits. The Program also supports families through parent workshops offered in collaboration with participating school districts. Topics include building and maintaining credit, budgeting, and saving for higher education.
This ongoing partnership between Apple Bank and the Zarb School of Business builds on Hofstra’s continued efforts, as outlined in the Hofstra 100 Strategic Plan, to collaborate with external stakeholders and communities for the mutually beneficial exchange of knowledge and resources, building confident, financially-literate communities—one classroom at a time.
About Apple Bank
Apple Bank, established in 1863, provides consumer, small business, and commercial banking services in greater New York through its branch network and online banking platform and is an active lender in the commercial real estate and corporate banking sectors. Apple Bank is the largest state-chartered savings bank in New York State, with $17.5 billion in assets, $14.5 billion in deposits, and over 75 branches in the greater New York area, including Manhattan, Brooklyn, the Bronx, Queens, Staten Island, Long Island, Westchester, Rockland, and New Jersey.
About Frank G. Zarb School of Business
The Frank G. Zarb School of Business at Hofstra University is among an elite group of business schools with dual AACSB accreditation in business and accounting, as well as innovative programs that are nationally recognized by organizations and publications such as U.S. News & World Report, Poets&Quants, and The Princeton Review. The Zarb School offers undergraduate and graduate degree programs, dual-degree programs, and minors through five departments spanning all business disciplines. It features high-tech centers for innovation, entrepreneurship, and cybersecurity; labs for marketing research and core skills development; and one of the most advanced academic trading rooms in the nation, with 34 Bloomberg terminals. Students develop critical thinking skills and learn how business and society are often linked and interdependent. Degree programs and initiatives focus on contemporary topics in business that affect communities close to home and abroad, including sustainability, entrepreneurship, finance, health care, big data, the roles of women and marginalized populations, and global leadership.
For more information about this Press Release, contact:
Gordon Levy
SVP, Head of Marketing and Customer Acquisitions
[email protected]