ABA Foundation Encourages Banks to Host Lights Camera Save Teen Video Contest

WASHINGTON — The American Bankers Association Foundation is urging banks across the country to participate in its upcoming 16th annual Lights, Camera, Save! video competition, which runs from Oct. 1 through Dec. 1.

Lights, Camera, Save! is a national contest that encourages teens ages 13-18 to use video to communicate the value of sound money management. The competition is one of the ABA Foundation's most popular financial education programs.

Through Lights, Camera, Save!, teens create a video of 30 seconds or less that demonstrates the importance of using money wisely and submit it to a participating bank in their community. The contest is open to teen creators of all experience levels.

"Lights, Camera, Save! empowers teens to share important money management lessons through the power of storytelling," said Lindsay Torrico, executive director of the ABA Foundation. "It also provides banks with a meaningful opportunity to connect with local students and help build financial confidence that can last a lifetime."

Registered banks will host the first round of judging and select a local winner to advance to the national competition. National prizes include $10,000 for first place, $5,000 for second place and $2,500 for third place. The contest also includes a teacher recognition component that awards $300, $200 and $100, respectively, to the educators identified by the three national winners.

National finalists will compete through public voting on ABA's Instagram page before advancing to the final round of judging. In the most recent competition, students from across the country submitted a record number of entries, with finalists creating videos on topics ranging from saving for college to avoiding debt and planning for future expenses. View the 2025-2026 winning videos.

The ABA Foundation deeply appreciates Visa's sponsorship of this year's Lights, Camera, Save! contest. Visa's support allows the Foundation to offer the program free of charge to participating banks nationwide while supporting enhanced prizes and teacher recognition awards.

"Financial literacy is most impactful when young people can see how it connects to their own lives," said Celeste Schwitters, SVP, Community Accounts and Digital Sales at Visa. "Lights, Camera, Save! gives teens a creative way to bring important money management concepts to life for their peers. Visa is proud to support a program that helps young people turn financial knowledge into real-world impact."

Banks interested in participating can register online at aba.com/lightscamerasave. Participating banks receive turnkey resources, real-time support and recognition on the ABA Foundation website and in campaign materials.

For additional information about the contest or how to register, bankers can contact ABA Foundation Senior Manager for Youth Financial Education Kelsey Havemann at [email protected].

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About the American Bankers Association

The American Bankers Association is the voice of the nation’s $26.5 trillion banking industry, which is composed of small, regional and large banks that together employ over 2 million people, safeguard $20.7 trillion in deposits and extend $13.9 trillion in loans.

About the ABA Foundation

Through its leadership, partnerships, and national programs, ABA’s Community Engagement Foundation (dba ABA Foundation), a 501(c)3, helps bankers provide financial education to individuals at every age, elevate issues around affordable housing and community development, and achieve corporate social responsibility objectives to improve the well-being of their customers and their communities.

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