Latest news with #Kickstart
Yahoo
25-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Desert Financial Credit Union, Incent Partner to Engage Next-Generation of Members
~Credit union reports 32% increase in youth accounts following successful launch of Kickstart account for kids~ PORTLAND, Ore., June 25, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Incent, a leading provider of family and youth digital banking solutions for banks and credit unions, announced today Arizona-based Desert Financial Credit Union (480,000 members, >$9 billion in assets under management) selected its youth engagement platform. The credit union launched Kickstart, powered by Incent, to provide kids and teens with a free program and checking account that teaches younger members how to budget, save and spend money safely with adult supervision. Since launching in Fall 2024, Kickstart has sustained upward growth and received an overwhelmingly positive member response, particularly among teens. Using the program, any parent or guardian can open a free savings account for a minor, and for those with kids between the ages of 6 – 17, they can also open a free checking account, receive a debit card and access a youth-centric digital banking app that encourages kids and teens to build strong financial habits. Kickstart is designed to keep parents and guardians actively engaged with the following capabilities: pay kids for completing parent-assigned tasks like doing chores or getting good grades, help kids establish savings goals, provide "loans" with a customizable interest rate and payment plan, send money for allowances, set spending limits and more. Additionally, kids and teens are encouraged and rewarded with digital trophies when they demonstrate financially responsible behaviors including balancing a budget, establishing and achieving a savings goal or watching an educational video to increase their financial literacy. Michelle Murray, AVP product management at Desert Financial, said, "We were looking for a youth banking platform that would not only attract younger members, but more importantly, would also engage and build long-term loyalty to the credit union. Incent was the only provider that shared our vision and together we built a modern youth banking solution that is interactive and advanced, yet simple and intuitive to navigate. At Desert Financial, we were proactive in our search for a partner that could help us better engage with our younger members and Incent had a much stronger offering than the alternatives." Incent's youth engagement platform easily integrates with an institution's existing digital banking technology infrastructure, providing a secure, real-world digital banking experience for children and teens. The white-labeled solution enables FIs to build brand awareness, maintain ownership of the account holder relationship and seamlessly transition the child to an "adult" account when they turn 18. The platform also ensures deposits and interchange revenue remain within the client institution rather than being diverted to third-party fintech sponsor banks. Murray continued, "With Kickstart, children can learn how to manage money firsthand using their own checking account, debit card, and/or Online Banking login. The ability to transact and manage money is an important element of financial literacy, and Kickstart empowers young members to build these skills early. We've already seen a 32 percent increase in total youth accounts opened, and the volume of debit card transactions per account is more than expected – averaging 8.5 transactions and $150 spent each month. "Parents and children are actively engaging with their accounts as well, with an average of 14 transfers into each youth account monthly via chore and allowance features, simulating the experience of earning an income. Together with the Incent platform, Kickstart firmly supports the financial well-being of our members and promotes long-term growth and loyalty," she said. Marcell King, president and COO of Incent, said, "Beyond delivering solutions that involve the families and drive financial wellness, Incent's priority is to empower credit unions like Desert Financial to strengthen relationships with the next generation of account holders. They understand the importance of nurturing these younger consumers which ultimately leads to their sustainability for the foreseeable future. We look forward to growing with them on their journey." About Desert Financial Credit Union For over 85 years, Desert Financial has been Arizona's most trusted local credit union with over $9 billion in assets, 480,000+ members and over 50 branches. Membership eligibility is open across Arizona with contactless solutions making it easy to click, call or come in. As a not-for-profit cooperative, Desert Financial takes pride in sharing success. In 2025, members received $16 million in dividends via the Member Giveback Bonus. Desert Financial is the official retail banking partner of Arizona State University® and the official banking partner of the Arizona Cardinals, NAU Athletics and the NAU Alumni Association. Federally insured by NCUA. Learn more at About Incent Incent is the leading provider of B2B youth banking services for U.S. banks and credit unions. Designed specifically for community financial institutions, Incent's youth digital banking solution provides the tools needed to teach kids responsible financial habits. The platform engages youth (ages 6–18) by combining financial education and gamification with hands-on real-life banking experiences focused on earning, saving, giving, spending and borrowing money. Incent seamlessly integrates with financial institutions' existing digital banking solutions, enabling banks and credit unions to engage younger customers while maintaining deposits within the institution. The parent or guardian retains full control of the account, ensuring a safe and educational digital banking experience. For additional information about Incent visit View source version on Contacts MEDIA CONTACTS: Anna Stanley/ Laura Lenzanna@ / laura@ 251.517.7857 / 678.781.7226 Sign in to access your portfolio
Business Wire
25-06-2025
- Business
- Business Wire
Desert Financial Credit Union, Incent Partner to Engage Next-Generation of Members
PORTLAND, Ore.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Incent, a leading provider of family and youth digital banking solutions for banks and credit unions, announced today Arizona-based Desert Financial Credit Union (480,000 members, >$9 billion in assets under management) selected its youth engagement platform. The credit union launched Kickstart, powered by Incent, to provide kids and teens with a free program and checking account that teaches younger members how to budget, save and spend money safely with adult supervision. Desert FCU and Incent partner to engage the next-generation of members - 32% increase in youth accounts following the launch of the Kickstart account for kids Share Since launching in Fall 2024, Kickstart has sustained upward growth and received an overwhelmingly positive member response, particularly among teens. Using the program, any parent or guardian can open a free savings account for a minor, and for those with kids between the ages of 6 – 17, they can also open a free checking account, receive a debit card and access a youth-centric digital banking app that encourages kids and teens to build strong financial habits. Kickstart is designed to keep parents and guardians actively engaged with the following capabilities: pay kids for completing parent-assigned tasks like doing chores or getting good grades, help kids establish savings goals, provide 'loans' with a customizable interest rate and payment plan, send money for allowances, set spending limits and more. Additionally, kids and teens are encouraged and rewarded with digital trophies when they demonstrate financially responsible behaviors including balancing a budget, establishing and achieving a savings goal or watching an educational video to increase their financial literacy. Michelle Murray, AVP product management at Desert Financial, said, 'We were looking for a youth banking platform that would not only attract younger members, but more importantly, would also engage and build long-term loyalty to the credit union. Incent was the only provider that shared our vision and together we built a modern youth banking solution that is interactive and advanced, yet simple and intuitive to navigate. At Desert Financial, we were proactive in our search for a partner that could help us better engage with our younger members and Incent had a much stronger offering than the alternatives.' Incent's youth engagement platform easily integrates with an institution's existing digital banking technology infrastructure, providing a secure, real-world digital banking experience for children and teens. The white-labeled solution enables FIs to build brand awareness, maintain ownership of the account holder relationship and seamlessly transition the child to an 'adult' account when they turn 18. The platform also ensures deposits and interchange revenue remain within the client institution rather than being diverted to third-party fintech sponsor banks. Murray continued, "With Kickstart, children can learn how to manage money firsthand using their own checking account, debit card, and/or Online Banking login. The ability to transact and manage money is an important element of financial literacy, and Kickstart empowers young members to build these skills early. We've already seen a 32 percent increase in total youth accounts opened, and the volume of debit card transactions per account is more than expected – averaging 8.5 transactions and $150 spent each month. 'Parents and children are actively engaging with their accounts as well, with an average of 14 transfers into each youth account monthly via chore and allowance features, simulating the experience of earning an income. Together with the Incent platform, Kickstart firmly supports the financial well-being of our members and promotes long-term growth and loyalty," she said. Marcell King, president and COO of Incent, said, 'Beyond delivering solutions that involve the families and drive financial wellness, Incent's priority is to empower credit unions like Desert Financial to strengthen relationships with the next generation of account holders. They understand the importance of nurturing these younger consumers which ultimately leads to their sustainability for the foreseeable future. We look forward to growing with them on their journey.' About Desert Financial Credit Union For over 85 years, Desert Financial has been Arizona's most trusted local credit union with over $9 billion in assets, 480,000+ members and over 50 branches. Membership eligibility is open across Arizona with contactless solutions making it easy to click, call or come in. As a not-for-profit cooperative, Desert Financial takes pride in sharing success. In 2025, members received $16 million in dividends via the Member Giveback Bonus. Desert Financial is the official retail banking partner of Arizona State University ® and the official banking partner of the Arizona Cardinals, NAU Athletics and the NAU Alumni Association. Federally insured by NCUA. Learn more at About Incent Incent is the leading provider of B2B youth banking services for U.S. banks and credit unions. Designed specifically for community financial institutions, Incent's youth digital banking solution provides the tools needed to teach kids responsible financial habits. The platform engages youth (ages 6–18) by combining financial education and gamification with hands-on real-life banking experiences focused on earning, saving, giving, spending and borrowing money. Incent seamlessly integrates with financial institutions' existing digital banking solutions, enabling banks and credit unions to engage younger customers while maintaining deposits within the institution. The parent or guardian retains full control of the account, ensuring a safe and educational digital banking experience. For additional information about Incent visit
Yahoo
15-06-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Young carer who unwittingly breached allowance rules forced to repay £2,000
A young carer who had looked after her disabled mother from the age of eight was forced to repay more than £2,000 when she unwittingly breached carer's allowance benefit earnings rules after joining a government youth employment scheme. Rose Jones, 22, said she was twice wrongly advised by her jobcentre work coach that her wages earned under the Kickstart scheme would not affect her eligibility for carer's allowance. Less than a year after she completed the six-month scheme, under which the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) paid her wages, she received a demand from the DWP demanding she pay back £2,145 of overpaid benefits. 'I was shocked when the letter arrived – it came on my 20th birthday – and I really didn't know what to do. I thought it was a mistake because my work coach had told me it was fine. It was a really scary letter to receive,' Jones said. The case is the latest in a stream of carer's allowance injustices highlighted by a year- long Guardian investigation and a relatively rare case involving a young carer – most unpaid carers are much older adults. At least 144,000 UK carers are repaying more than £250m in earnings-related carer's allowance overpayments caused by what MPs said were 'human mistakes' on the part of carers and repeated DWP administrative and policy failures. Thousands of carers have been prosecuted and millions of pounds of public money wasted. The government last year vowed to reform aspects of carer's allowance after widespread public outrage. It commissioned an independent review of carer's allowance overpayments which is expected to report to ministers in July. Jones began caring for her mother, who has physical and mental disabilities, at the age of eight, helping around the house and with shopping, looking out for her safety, and accompanying her to hospital appointments. Being a carer affected her childhood and education, she said: 'I was always quite hesitant to be away from my mum. I'd worry about her all the time when I was at school and struggle to focus. I wouldn't want to go on sleepovers at friends' houses.' When she turned 16 she started to claim carer's allowance and it was only when she took up a place in 2021 on the DWP's Kickstart scheme aimed at young people at risk of long term unemployment, introduced during Covid in 2020, that it became an issue. Jones said: 'Before I'd accepted the job [though the Kickstart scheme] I told him [the job coach] I was on carer's allowance and I told him the exact amounts I'd be on and that I'd be working from home so I'd be doing the same amount of caring as always. 'He assured me that he was confident that my carer's allowance would not be affected. I asked him a couple of times, not just one phone call. I checked again after a couple of months once I had started earning my wage, and he reassured me, so I thought at this point everything was fine.' The demand, when it came, felt massively unjust. 'I'd been told by the work coach it was fine. I'd been a carer for my mum all my teenage years and felt my experiences had just been disregarded.' Under Kickstart, the DWP paid employers £1,500 a month towards wages and training costs, with participants guaranteed to be paid the equivalent of 25 hours a week at the national minimum wage. In Jones's case, this is £656 a month, which worked out for the purposes of the DWP's earnings rule calculation at £151 a week. Jones was taken on as a digital marketing assistant by a local firm and under carer's allowance rules was allowed to earn up to £128 a week on top of her carer duties, equivalent to 19.5 hours at the minimum wage for 18- to 20-year-olds. Because she had unwittingly breached the weekly earnings limit, carer's allowance rules meant she forfeited her £67.60 carer's allowance. This 'cliff edge' rule meant had she gone even £1 a week over the limit for six months she would have had to repay over £2,000. Related: 'Something has gone very wrong': how the carers scandal was exposed Jones said she was frustrated by different branches of the DWP – the jobcentre, the employment section and the carer's allowance unit – which did not seem to be clear on the rules and had not routinely shared information about her case. She was also shocked that the DWP had known about the earnings breach but had waited months before alerting her, allowing a debt to accrue that will take her years to repay. 'It's left me with a bit of distrust towards the DWP,' she said. Emily Holzhausen, the director of policy at Carers UK, said: 'It's devastating to see a young person who has had a more challenging start in life be badly let down by the DWP. 'It's not the first time that hard-pressed carers have been given the wrong information by people working for the DWP; the very people they trust to get the rules about benefits and entitlements right. 'The fact that the DWP's computer systems don't speak to each other have left many unpaid carers with unacceptable overpayments – despite the DWP having information that could have been used to stop them earlier.' A DWP spokesperson said: 'We understand the huge difference carers make as well as the struggles so many face. 'The carer's allowance overpayment rate is now the lowest on record and we are increasing funding and bringing in more staff to check 100% of alerts to help prevent carers falling into debt. 'But we want to go further, that's why we've launched an independent review of carer's allowance to explore how earnings-related overpayments have happened and what changes can be made.' • This article was amended on 15 June 2025. An earlier picture caption called Rose Jones Ruth. Owing to a miscalculation, it also said that she received £164 a week instead of £151 a week.
The Guardian
15-06-2025
- Health
- The Guardian
Young carer who unwittingly breached allowance rules forced to repay £2,000
A young carer who had looked after her disabled mother from the age of eight was forced to repay more than £2,000 when she unwittingly breached carer's allowance benefit earnings rules after joining a government youth employment scheme. Rose Jones, 22, said she was twice wrongly advised by her jobcentre work coach that her wages earned under the Kickstart scheme would not affect her eligibility for carer's allowance. Less than a year after she completed the six-month scheme, under which the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) paid her wages, she received a demand from the DWP demanding she pay back £2,145 of overpaid benefits. 'I was shocked when the letter arrived – it came on my 20th birthday – and I really didn't know what to do. I thought it was a mistake because my work coach had told me it was fine. It was a really scary letter to receive,' Jones said. The case is the latest in a stream of carer's allowance injustices highlighted by a year- long Guardian investigation and a relatively rare case involving a young carer – most unpaid carers are much older adults. At least 144,000 UK carers are repaying more than £250m in earnings-related carer's allowance overpayments caused by what MPs said were 'human mistakes' on the part of carers and repeated DWP administrative and policy failures. Thousands of carers have been prosecuted and millions of pounds of public money wasted. The government last year vowed to reform aspects of carer's allowance after widespread public outrage. It commissioned an independent review of carer's allowance overpayments which is expected to report to ministers in July. Jones began caring for her mother, who has physical and mental disabilities, at the age of eight, helping around the house and with shopping, looking out for her safety, and accompanying her to hospital appointments. Being a carer affected her childhood and education, she said: 'I was always quite hesitant to be away from my mum. I'd worry about her all the time when I was at school and struggle to focus. I wouldn't want to go on sleepovers at friends' houses.' When she turned 16 she started to claim carer's allowance and it was only when she took up a place in 2021 on the DWP's Kickstart scheme aimed at young people at risk of long term unemployment, introduced during Covid in 2020, that it became an issue. Jones said: 'Before I'd accepted the job [though the Kickstart scheme] I told him [the job coach] I was on carer's allowance and I told him the exact amounts I'd be on and that I'd be working from home so I'd be doing the same amount of caring as always. 'He assured me that he was confident that my carer's allowance would not be affected. I asked him a couple of times, not just one phone call. I checked again after a couple of months once I had started earning my wage, and he reassured me, so I thought at this point everything was fine.' The demand, when it came, felt massively unjust. 'I'd been told by the work coach it was fine. I'd been a carer for my mum all my teenage years and felt my experiences had just been disregarded.' Under Kickstart, the DWP paid employers £1,500 a month towards wages and training costs, with participants guaranteed to be paid the equivalent of 25 hours a week at the national minimum wage, in Jones's case £164 a week, or £656 a month. Jones was taken on as a digital marketing assistant by a local firm and under carer's allowance rules was allowed to earn up to £128 a week on top of her carer duties, equivalent to 19.5 hours at the minimum wage for 18- to 20-year-olds. Because she had unwittingly breached the weekly earnings limit, carer's allowance rules meant she forfeited her £67.60 carer's allowance. This 'cliff edge' rule meant had she gone even £1 a week over the limit for six months she would have had to repay over £2,000. Sign up to First Edition Our morning email breaks down the key stories of the day, telling you what's happening and why it matters after newsletter promotion Jones said she was frustrated by different branches of the DWP – the jobcentre, the employment section and the carer's allowance unit – which did not seem to be clear on the rules and had not routinely shared information about her case. She was also shocked that the DWP had known about the earnings breach but had waited months before alerting her, allowing a debt to accrue that will take her years to repay. 'It's left me with a bit of distrust towards the DWP,' she said. Emily Holzhausen, the director of policy at Carers UK, said: 'It's devastating to see a young person who has had a more challenging start in life be badly let down by the DWP. 'It's not the first time that hard-pressed carers have been given the wrong information by people working for the DWP; the very people they trust to get the rules about benefits and entitlements right. 'The fact that the DWP's computer systems don't speak to each other have left many unpaid carers with unacceptable overpayments – despite the DWP having information that could have been used to stop them earlier.' A DWP spokesperson said: 'We understand the huge difference carers make as well as the struggles so many face. 'The carer's allowance overpayment rate is now the lowest on record and we are increasing funding and bringing in more staff to check 100% of alerts to help prevent carers falling into debt. 'But we want to go further, that's why we've launched an independent review of carer's allowance to explore how earnings-related overpayments have happened and what changes can be made.'
Daily Mirror
13-06-2025
- Business
- Daily Mirror
wagamama launches summer menu with build-your-own bowls and non-alcoholic drinks
wagamama has launched its new summer menu, which includes pho noodle soups, build-your-own rice bowls, and miso caramel banana bread, as well as a new brand platform In a major move, wagamama has launched 'Food is Life', a new brand platform and summer menu designed to reinforce what the brand says is a commitment to fresh, innovative food and meaningful dining experiences. The 'Food is Life' platform is described as the 'most powerful and expansive' launch since wagamama's founding in 1992. According to the brand, 'Food is Life' is a celebration of food's emotional power and cultural importance, focusing in on the belief that food is much more than just fuel. The new platform is being rolled out alongside a bold summer menu that emphasises personalisation, freshness, and feel-good food. Among the highlights are brand-new pho noodle soups, featuring a fragrant yuzu broth and konjac noodles. It has also introduced a build-your-own donburi concept, following demand for better personalisation. Diners can create their own rice bowl, choosing from a range of proteins, fresh toppings, and vegetables, with the option to swap in cauliflower 'rice' as a lighter base. The summer menu also boasts vibrant new salads, such as a sweet chilli salad with caramelised chicken or tofu, and a pad thai salad inspired by the brand's popular teppanyaki dishes. These are targeted at customers seeking healthier meals without compromising on flavour. Steve Mangleshot, wagamama's Global Executive Chef, said: "wagamama has always been distinctive, from our open kitchens to our communal benches, we were born different. "With 'Food is Life', we're reminding the world that food isn't just something you consume. It's something you feel. Something that can change your day, and even your life, and it can be enjoyed anytime, any occasion." In addition to the new food offerings, wagamama is also introducing a range of non-alcoholic beverages, including the spicy Saffron Picante, Strawberry Spritz, and an invigorating Kickstart juice. For pudding, the menu presents miso caramel banana bread, served warm with vanilla ice cream and toffee sauce. The new brand platform is being brought to life through a campaign titled 'wagamama when'. It aims to emphasis the 'unscripted moments' in people's lives where wagamama plays part, either when you're craving comfort, or when your day needs a boost. Emma Colquhoun, Chief Marketing & Commercial Officer at wagamama, said: "With 'wagamama when', we're celebrating those real, everyday moments when food brings people together."
