Empowering Through Education

How One Moment Sparked a Mission for Financial Literacy

Nearly ten years ago, what began as a routine visit home became the defining moment that transformed Learning and Development Retail Team Lead, Beth O’Quinn, into a passionate financial literacy advocate.

While living in the U.S. Virgin Islands, she returned to Georgia to visit her mother‑in‑law and son. In the kitchen, she noticed a stack of bank statements showing multiple overdraft fees and a HELOC loan payment. None of it made sense—her mother‑in‑law's home and car were paid off, and her social security income was steady. 

“When I asked her about it, she was genuinely unaware anything was wrong,” recalls Beth. 

Her trusted bank of nearly 30 years had allowed nearly $500 in overdraft fees in only the first five months of the year—and almost $900 the year before. Even more troubling, her home loan had a HELOC attached to it.  

“As someone with a background in banking, the indifference was heartbreaking,” she recalls, “They saw an account number, not a vulnerable person.” The bank failed to question suspicious, uncharacteristic withdrawals and ignored numerous red flags. The bank also approved the HELOC without validating her ability to repay the loan.  

“That moment shifted something in me. I realized that financial literacy is not optional. It is an essential protective measure, especially for those who trust institutions to look out for them. That experience is the heartbeat behind my mission today.”

Teaching the Next Generation—Before Problems Begin

Today, she channels that experience into proactive education—especially for young adults who face a new world of digital threats.

“Platforms have changed, but the red flags haven’t,” she explains. “Every scam preys on urgency, pressure, confusion or trust.”

Whether it’s peer‑to‑peer payment scams, identity theft, social media impersonation or mysterious fees, the psychology remains the same. To maintain financial wellness, you must stay vigilant against these universal red flags:
 

• A Sense of Urgency: Pressure to act immediately.
• Pressure to Act Secretly: Being told not to tell family or friends.
• Unexplained Withdrawals: Money leaving your account without a clear reason.
• Confusion Around Fees: Complex explanations for simple transactions.
• Requests for Personal Info: Unusual prompts for social security numbers or passwords.

“As an Ameris Bank employee, I take pride in our purpose of bringing financial peace of mind to our communities, one person at a time,” said Beth. “By teaching younger generations early, we’re not just protecting them—we’re preparing them to protect their families.”

More Than a Program—A Purpose

She describes financial literacy not as a task, but as a calling shaped by two powerful perspectives:
 

1. The heartbreak of financial misunderstanding, and
2. The empowerment that comes when someone finally gains clarity.

“I love teaching budgeting because it changes lives,” she says. “A budget isn’t restrictive—it’s freeing. Once people see where their money goes and how to plan for what they want, they stand taller. Their confidence grows.”

This passion extends beyond the community. She hopes to bring the same empowerment directly to her colleagues.

“Ameris offers incredible tools—employee checking benefits, budgeting resources, savings features—but many people don’t realize what’s available. Imagine if every team member felt confident managing their money. Imagine the stress we could reduce, the goals we could help people reach,” says Beth. 

Creating Ripple Effects Through Volunteerism

Every Ameris employee receives eight paid volunteer hours each year—a benefit she believes can create lasting change when used for teaching financial literacy.

“One hour of financial education can transform someone’s financial future,” she says. “It can help someone avoid debt, build credit or break generational cycles.”

To make volunteering easy, she created a plug‑and‑play financial literacy program accessible to all associates—no financial background required.

“If every Ameris team member taught just one session, we could empower thousands across our footprint. The ripple effect would be extraordinary.”

Why High School to Young Adulthood Is the “Sweet Spot”

She focuses much of her work on teens and young adults because, as she explains, “They’re at the intersection of independence and inexperience.”

This age group is making major financial choices—jobs, cars, student loans, apartments—yet often lacks foundational knowledge. Teaching them early prevents costly mistakes and builds lifelong habits before bad ones can form.

For Those Who Want to Help—But Don't Feel Like ‘Math People’

She reassures potential volunteers: “Financial literacy isn’t about being a math person. It’s about real‑world logic and honest conversation.”

Stories, examples and simple explanations are far more powerful than formulas. The Ameris program provides everything needed, so volunteers can focus on connecting with learners, not crunching numbers.

The Must‑Have Topics That Build Strong Foundations

Her financial literacy program emphasizes essentials every young adult should understand:
 

• Creating a realistic, values‑based budget
• Understanding and building credit
• Identifying scams and protecting personal data
• Setting smart short‑term and long‑term financial goals

These fundamentals provide clarity, confidence and a sense of control—exactly the kind of empowerment she hopes to spread.

For her, financial literacy is more than money management; it's dignity, confidence and protection. It’s advocacy for the vulnerable, preparation for the young and empowerment for everyone in between.

Take the first step towards becoming financially literate. Visit our resource center.


The opinions voiced in this material are for general information only and are not intended to provide specific advice or recommendations for any individual.