Launched in 1994 as a national nonprofit, Operation HOPE's largest funder in Baltimore is the Citi Foundation, which made a 10-year, $200 million global commitment to financial education in 2004. Along with M&T Bank and Provident Bank, CitiFinancial trains volunteers to teach Baltimore elementary, middle, and high school students the basics of banking and finance, checking and savings, credit, interest, budgeting, investing, and avoiding being victims of fraud. The curriculum also offers messages about responsibility, empowerment, and hope to help students see the importance of planning for their future.

Becoming financially savvy is critical, particularly in inner-city areas like Baltimore where many people remain "unbanked" and rely on expensive check cashing and money order services to make financial transactions.

Volunteers like Joel Black Sr., a Senior Corporate Recruiter for CitiFinancial, relishes seeing how his charges learn the difference between credit cards and ATM cards, about compound interest, and how to distinguish wants from needs. "At the beginning, they may think they need an iPod or cell phone but by the end they realize they need food, clothing and shelter," says Black. "It's a great eye opener."

"We have always believed that if the community is successful, then our company will be successful, said Atwood Collins III, President of M&T Bank's Mid-Atlantic region. "Banking on Our Future is the perfect way to introduce students to the importance of saving and to managing their finances."

"We are proud to provide volunteers to Operation HOPE and work with them to provide quality workshops on managing money," notes Gary Geisel, Chairman and CEO of Provident Bank. "Our goal is to ensure that financial literacy classes become a mandated requirement for graduation in all Maryland schools."