2016 Winning Financial Literacy Essays – Kaila Marie Gibbs

A girl holding a teddy bear and a cup.

A girl holding a teddy bear and a cup.Two of a three part series.

OneUnited Bank announced its I Got Bank 6th Annual Essay Contest winners in 2016. The contest is designed to promote financial literacy for youth (ages 8 – 12). We think you will agree…the winning essays are fabulous.

Here is one of the three winning essays:

Kaila Marie Gibbs – 12 years old
Los Angeles, CA

I have bank because I believe in saving money. I have bank because when I grow up I will not have to depend on others. When you do not have bank you have to depend on others that may or may not want to help you that means you usually have to owe someone that’s not happy with you. We do not want to depend or owe anyone; that means I need bank. So by having bank I can make wise decisions such as buying a home, giving to charities of my choice and feeding the homeless. By owning a home I will not be homeless. I will give to charities of my choice, such the Red Cross or Smile of Child and I will feed the homeless. I will be letting these people in need know that they are cared about.

I currently have a savings account, although I do not have a job. I get money for my birthday, my good grades in school and me being on the principle’s list and that’s bank (smile). My Dad, friends and family are the reason I currently am able to get money to save, but one day I will either have a job or a business where I can employ people so they or I can do some of the things I have listed by having bank.

Elevate your finances with insights, because we all need answers. Sign up today!

Discover the OneUnited Difference.

Already have an account? Log in

Recent Articles

A collage showcasing individual portraits of children, with a book cover titled "I Got Bank" featured in the top right corner.
Financial Literacy

Meet Our 2023 I Got Bank Winners!

SummaryMeet the winners of the 2023 I Got Bank Contest! Explore their entries below and follow their path to securing a $1,000 savings account through

Promotional poster for the 14th annual "i got bank" art and essay contest featuring a free e-book offer.
Financial Literacy

14TH ANNUAL “I GOT BANK!”

OneUnited Bank is sponsoring the 14th annual financial literacy contest for youth between the ages of 8 – 12 years old. Simply either write and submit a 250-word essay (250 words not 250 characters) or create and submit an art project (PDF only) about what you learned from the book “I Got Bank!” (or from another financial literacy book available in your library or home) and how you can use what you learned in your life or the life of your family.

It takes 5-minutes to start elevating your finances

See exactly where you’re spending money, how you’re achieving and how you can improve.