Building Financial Literacy With Junior Achievement

Building Financial Literacy With Junior Achievement

For decades, Western Alliance Bank has teamed up with Junior Achievement (JA) to equip young people with the financial knowledge and practical skills they need to succeed. Through this long-standing relationship, Western Alliance has helped thousands of students — many from Title I schools — gain a foundation in personal finance and career readiness. 

Across our national footprint, our people volunteer at dozens of schools, engaging in hands-on activities to help the next generation be more prepared, not only as future entrepreneurs and businesspeople, but also as citizens. Their efforts span a range of immersive programs, including:

• JA Day – A one-day event that brings age-appropriate lessons on earning, saving, spending and budgeting into K–6 classrooms, typically at Title I schools. Western Alliance volunteers help make financial concepts accessible and engaging for young learners.
• JA BizTown – A popular capstone program for upper elementary students, combining classroom instruction with a visit to a simulated town where students run businesses, manage personal finances and even try out bank jobs at a Western Alliance Bank kiosk.
• JA Inspire – A large-scale, interactive career fair for middle schoolers that introduces students to high-growth industries and helps them connect school choices with future career paths.
• Finance Park – A personal finance simulation for high school students, where participants create household budgets and make real-world spending decisions based on assigned life scenarios.

Western Alliance also contributes to Junior Achievement’s long-term sustainability through board and finance committee service, in addition to financial and support. In recognition of this enduring partnership, Junior Achievement USA® honored Western Alliance with the U.S. President’s Volunteer Service Award for the 2023–2024 school year.

This work reflects our deep commitment to improving economic opportunity in the communities we serve. By investing in financial education today, Western Alliance is helping build generational knowledge that supports lasting financial empowerment — one student at a time.