Credit Union Network for Financial Literacy (CUNFL), the sole distributor of the credit union version of The Berenstain Bears’ Trouble with Money (Random House) is making this title available to all credit unions. Before now, this special edition of the 1983 classic was only available to credit unions participating in The Berenstain Bears Financial Literacy Program. CUNFL’s board of managers decided on broader distribution to coincide with its mission to advance the benefits of credit union membership.
“Many credit unions already use the book as part of their educational outreach,” said Rick Durante, National Director of The Berenstain Bears Financial Literacy Program. “Our mission to advance credit union membership along with financial literacy will be even stronger since the cooperative nature of our industry is woven into the story. There’s no reason any credit union should use the bank version of this title.”
The difference between the exclusive credit union edition and the original is that all bank related text and graphic references have been replaced with credit union references and graphics. “They’ll [children] understand a credit union is a safe place to save money when they hear and see it in context,” Durante added. Parents favor The Berenstain Bears because they are wholesome and emotionally engaging. Educators and financial literacy advocates favor the books as valuable teaching tools.
Like all Berenstain Bears books, The Berenstain Bears’ Trouble with Money teaches young readers a valuable lesson. In this case, it’s the sound money management concept Save, Share, Spend, Earn—a theme central to The Berenstain Bears Financial Literacy Program. CUNFL is the purveyor of the youth program, which is unique to credit unions. Durante said continued popularity of the youth program is rendering the famous Bears synonymous with credit unions and that broader distribution of the special edition of The Berenstain Bears’ Trouble with Money is a natural progression that benefits the entire credit union industry.
The Berenstain Bears’ Trouble with Money credit union edition is part of the Credit Union Financial Literacy Series and is not available for retail sale. Wholesale access to the books is available only to credit unions. Contact us for more information or click here to view the current rate schedule.
