One highlight of the ITW program was the financial literacy curriculum, presented by PNC Bank's Paca branch manager, Olajide Ogundipe. The program provided participants with the basic tools necessary to establish a firm financial foundation for their futures. ITW intern Von Patterson said that the program, "Helped me make a plan to make a budget and save my money."

Ogundipe, originally from Nigeria, trained as an architect. He subsequently transitioned to banking and has acquired 17 years of experience in financial institutions in New York and Maryland. 

 

Ogundipe feels a sense of mission about presenting PNC's financial literacy program. He said, "I love this. You try to motivate. You try to let the individual know that there is nothing that they can't do." He is a frequent and dedicated contributor to PNC's outreach to the nonprofit community and their clients. "When I'm coming, I look forward to it. There are some things I get back from the students, too, that add to what I know," he said.

"I mentioned to the last group, when you don't have money in your pocket, you look miserable. You do, because you can't buy what you want to buy, you have bills and that affects your mind, affects what you're doing," he said. "And one of them said, 'No, you don't look miserable. It's more than that. You look depressed.' And I said, 'That's right.' And that's the truth, because you're not financially stable. Being financially stable is understanding money, the value of things. Respect money and know how to manage your money. It's not how much you earn, it's how you spend what you have."

Whether you're planning for your future or furnishing your pad, we think that's pretty sound advice. If you haven't been in a while, come check out our new products any day from 9 to 5 (including Labor Day). You'll not only be "spending what you have" prudently, but you'll be helping the next generation prepare to do the same!