By Tonya Oskarson
Director of Corporate Communications

An online financial literacy program is one way that TomatoBank and the American Junior Golf Association are helping develop the next generation.

As a way to help teenagers and young adults learn about the banking industry, TomatoBank created an Online Financial Literacy Workshop. This financial education program was designed to teach users to better manage their money and improve their standard of living. There are four basic parts to the workshop: Basic Banking Services; Everyday Banking: The Checking Account; Saving Money: The Savings Account; Borrowing Basics.

"Studies show that today's college students graduate with a degree in one hand and considerable debt in the other," said Dr. Stephen Liu, CEO of TomatoBank. "It is our goal to provide youth with prudent financial management skills for the purpose of assisting them in managing their finances before, during and after their college years."

In the Basic Banking Services chapter, users will learn about the benefits of keeping money in the bank, who to speak to at the bank for various banking services, types of accounts and how to open an account.

The next section, Everyday Banking: The Checking Account, focuses on the use of a checking account. The participants will learn about the best type of account for their needs, fees associated with the account, writing a check, using an ATM and how to reconcile the account.

The third part, Saving Money: The Savings Account, teaches the importance of saving money. This section also covers compounding interest and determining the best account for each individual's needs.

The final chapter in the workshop, Borrowing Basics, details basics on credit and loans, covering topics such as interest rates and different types of loans.

"I wish that I had the Online Financial Literacy Workshop to take advantage of when I was a teenager playing junior golf," said Chris Larson, AJGA manager of member services and AJGA alum. "This is a great opportunity for our members to learn about finances, which will set them up for success in life after college."

TomatoBank, N.A., a nationally chartered bank headquartered in Alhambra, Calif., is a first-year tournament sponsor of the AJGA. The bank is sponsoring two events in 2008: TomatoBank Southern California Classic (Oak Valley Golf Club, Beaumont, Calif., July 30-Aug. 2) and TomatoBank Northern California Classic (Ruby Hill Golf Club, Pleasanton, Calif., Aug. 20-23).

"TomatoBank's online financial literacy program is a tremendous tool for our members to learn financial skills before they begin college," said Jason Etzen, AJGA executive vice president of corporate partnerships.

For more information on the Online Financial Literacy Workshop, or to take advantage of it, please visit www.tomatobank.com/finlin.html.