California High School Produces Both First- and Second-Place Winners in National Lights, Camera, Save! Video Contest

 The American Bankers Association Foundation has announced the national winners of the Lights, Camera, Save! teen video contest, a nationwide competition that encourages teens ages 13–18 to create a 30-second or less video educating their peers on the importance of smart money management.

This year’s first place winner is Adam Costa, representing Montecito Bank & Trust in Santa Barbara, Calif., for his video “It All Adds Up!”, earning a $10,000 grand prize. Costa’s video was selected from a record number of entries after two rounds of national judging, including public voting on ABA’s Instagram page.

“Each year, we are inspired by the creativity and enthusiasm students bring to this contest,” said Lindsay Torrico, executive director of the ABA Foundation. “Adam’s video offers an engaging and memorable reminder that consistent, thoughtful financial habits truly do add up over time. We congratulate Adam and all of this year’s national finalists for their outstanding work and commitment to helping their peers build lifelong financial skills.” 

For the first time in the contest’s history, both the first- and second-place national winners hail from the same school—Dos Pueblos High School in Goleta, Calif. – although they each won local competitions at different California banks. Second-place honors went to Ethan Gardiner representing American Riviera Bank in Santa Barbara, Calif. for his video, “Climbing the College Mountain,” which earned him a $5,000 prize. 

Third place in this year’s competition was awarded to Logan Ivory who represented AmeriServ Financial in Johnstown, Pa., for his video, “Don’t Fall Prey to the Debt Trap.”

This year’s Lights, Camera Save! competition was made possible through the generous support of Visa. Visa’s partnership enabled the ABA Foundation to offer the program at no cost to participating banks nationwide. Visa’s contribution also powered exciting enhancements to the contest, including a new teacher recognition component and increased cash prizes for teen filmmakers. 

“Community financial institutions are often the first place young people learn how money actually works,” said Celeste Schwitters, senior vice president, community accounts and digital sales at Visa. “Through Lights, Camera, Save!, teens aren’t just learning financial concepts, they’re applying them, sharing them, and shaping how their peers think about money. Visa is proud to support the ABA Foundation and the local institutions helping make financial education practical, engaging, and accessible in communities across the country.”

This free competition is one of ABA Foundation’s most popular financial education initiatives. Thousands of teens participate annually through local contests hosted by banks across the country, with finalists advancing to the national round. The contest helps young people develop and share their understanding of budgeting, saving, avoiding debt, and other key financial concepts. 

National Winners

1st Place – $10,000
“It All Adds Up!”
Adam Costa
Montecito Bank & Trust — Santa Barbara, Calif.

2nd Place – $5,000
“Climbing the College Mountain”
Ethan Gardiner
American Riviera Bank — Santa Barbara, Calif.

3rd Place – $2,500
“Don’t Fall Prey to the Debt Trap”
Logan Ivory
AmeriServ Financial — Johnstown, Pa.

In addition to the national Lights, Camera, Save! contest, the ABA Foundation also honors a “Bankers’ Choice” winner that was voted on by attendees at ABA’s Conference for Community Bankers in Orlando.  This year’s Bankers’ Choice winner was Micah Hill, representing Burke & Herbert Bank in Alexandria, Va., for his video, “Declined and Confused.”

Since 1997, the ABA Foundation’s financial education initiatives have reached millions of people through its banker presentations. Current Foundation programs include:

• Teach Children to Save
• Lights, Camera, Save!
• Get Smart About Credit
• Safe Banking for Seniors

Participation in all of the ABA Foundation programs is available free of charge to ABA member banks and non-member banks.

Note to Editors: Click here to view the grand prize announcement video and national finalists.
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.