A push is underway in Mississippi to create a savings account for each child. If the state legislature acts, Mississippi would be the first state with universal bank accounts.
A pilot program of kid's bank accounts is already functioning in Mississippi with more than 650 children signed up.
The idea, says Andrea Levere with the Corporation for Enterprise Development, is to get kids familiar with banking, save for college and potentially give them an economic leg up when they become young adults.
"How you see your future effects what you do today. And just having that savings and that sense that someone believes in you to do it has changed academic performance in schools," Levere said.
Mississippi has the highest rate of adults without at bank account at 15%. Levere also believes signing kids up would lead to more adults sign up for a bank or checking account.
Lasanya Christian of Jackson has her twin 4-year old girls enrolled in child bank accounts.
In a PBS news video, she explains that she never went to college but she wants that possibility for her girls.
"I am excited. Happy. Joyful. That my kids are learning about money and saving for college. Its something I want them to do,"
Right now the accounts are available in Hinds and Washington Counties.
Bill Bynum with Hope Credit Union says they are going to push state lawmakers to establish a statewide, universal bank accounts for all kids.
"We are defined by choices. If we choose to invest in education, health care, building assets, putting kids on a stronger financial foundation I think we will get off the bottom of some many indicators of social and economic well-being," Bynum said.
The push could potentially have an unlikely ally.
When current Lt. Governor Tate Reeves was state treasure he supported a version of universal bank accounts for Mississippi's kids.
