ANN ARBOR—The financial technology developer HT Mobile Apps (HTMA) announced a new relationship with Creve Coeur, Mo.-based First Bank to offer Kids Cash, a free mobile application designed to educate children ages three to 12 years old on the benefits of saving, and Plinqit, the only savings app that pays users for learning about personal finance.
In the bank’s search for products that focus on family to provide digital banking tools that appeal to younger generations, First Bank chose to partner with HTMA to offer Kids Cash, white labelled on HTMA’s Banker Jr. platform. Kids Cash offers informative games and lessons on a free mobile platform to teach children valuable skills and financial literacy as they play.
Additionally, First Bank wanted to grow its offerings with products that create differentiation and brand awareness, increase deposits and cross sell opportunities as well as grow households. Expanding the bank’s relationship with HTMA, the bank launched Plinqit, the only savings tool that pays users for engaging with content in its patent-pending Build Skills platform. Users can grow their knowledge of finances by simply watching a video or reading an article from the Plinqit library and taking a short quiz. Then, users are given a reward toward their savings goal for learning more about financial wellness.
“HTMA offers solutions in line with our strategic objectives,” said Angie Moleski, assistant vice president and product management officer of First Bank. “The company’s fun, straightforward and easy to use apps help us create new banking relationships. With Kids Cash and Plinqit, we can create content that improves financial literacy. These are great tools to share with the communities in our footprint and allow us to bring financial literacy to underbanked communities as well. We are excited to launch Kids Cash and Plinqit to empower our community with a better understanding of finances all while strengthening our local economy.”
Added HTMA founder and CEO Kathleen Craig: “When we created Plinqit and Banker Jr., we wanted to build something easy to use that offered lower operating costs than traditional accounts. Our fast-to-market products help financial institutions, like First Bank, build engagement with customers and prospects alike quickly. Through our partnership with the bank, we are able to empower their team to reach their goals and offer their community education on personal finances. We know the importance of financial literacy on the path to financial wellness and are excited to see their customers’ financial achievement.”
Ann Arbor-based HTMA serves banks and credit unions across the country to easily and cost-effectively introduce new services for attracting and retaining customers. More at www.htmobileapps.com.
FirstBank was incorporated in 1906 as Creve Coeur Farmer’s Bank in Creve Coeur, Mo. It became First Missouri Bank in 1973 and First Bank in 1986. It has $6 billion in assets and 90 offices in California, Illinois, Kansas, Missouri, and Nebraska. More at www.firstbanks.com.