Univest In The News
Berenstain Bears Help Launch "Univest Bear Country Savings Account," a Children's Banking Program for Young Savers
SOUDERTON, Pa., June 19, 2007 – The Berenstain Bears, title characters in the best-selling children's book series, joined the Univest National Bank and Trust Co. subsidiary of Univest Corporation (listed on NASDAQ: UVSP) in launching the "Univest Bear Country Savings Account" at 11:00 a.m. today at the Doylestown Bookshop. The new account, a children's banking program geared toward young savers up to 18 years of age, is part of financialSEN$E, Univest’s ongoing financial literacy program designed to provide financial advice and guidance to individuals through every stage of their lives. The Doylestown Bookshop is located at 16 South Main Street in Doylestown.
Mike Berenstain, author, illustrator and son of the popular book series' creators, Stan and Jan Berenstain, joined Mama, Papa, Sister and Brother Bear at the event. Berenstain read from the Berenstain Bears' book, "Dollar$ and $en$e." Children brought books from the series to be signed by Berenstain and took pictures with the Bear family. Each child in attendance also received a goody bag, including information on the new savings account.
According to K. Leon Moyer, president and chief operating officer of Univest, "It's never too early to learn about saving and investing money. With America's personal savings rate near an all-time low, Univest wants to help instill good money-management habits in our youth. In fact, our financialSEN$E program is designed to provide financial guidance for those children as they progress to college, their first jobs, family life and retirement."
Berenstain, a long-time resident of Bucks County, added, "As a family with deep roots in the Delaware Valley, we are delighted that Univest has decided to use our characters and our book to educate the children of our region in basic financial responsibility. There is nothing more important for our kids' economic future than to develop solid and well-informed consumer relationships with their local banking system."
About the Bear Country Savings Account
When customers open a Bear Country Savings Account at any of Univest's 33 financial service centers, they will receive a free copy of "Dollar$ and $en$e." The account features no minimum balance requirements; no monthly fees; unlimited deposits and withdrawals; guaranteed interest on funds; and free club membership with annual birthday rewards. Children can also learn about money with Sister and Brother Bear on a new interactive Web site where they can get answers to frequently asked questions, learn the basics of money and how important it is to save for the future. The new site also will feature resources for educators to teach financial literacy in the classroom.
About the Financial Sen$e Program
Launched in 2007, the financialSEN$E program provides free financial tips and information through classroom programs, literature, a special section on the Univest Web site, seminars, special events and more. As part of the program, Univest sponsored NBC 10's Money School, a four week series of free financial seminars held in April and May and hosted by WCAU-TV's consumer reporter, Tracy Davidson. Univest will again sponsor the program when it resumes this fall.
Financial Sen$e also includes the WIP-Univest Student Athlete of the Year Award, which provided $1,000 achievement awards to 15, 2007 graduates of area public and parochial high schools.
About The Berenstain Bears
The Berenstain Bears are the world's premier family-friendly children's characters. Uniquely beloved by parents and children alike, they have built a grass-roots franchise on the reinforcement of traditional values and support for the family. The Berenstain Bears children's book series has sold more than 200 million copies worldwide.
About Univest National Bank and Trust Co.
Headquartered in Souderton, Pa., Univest Corporation of Pennsylvania and its subsidiaries serve the financial needs of residents, businesses, and nonprofit organizations in Bucks, Chester, and Montgomery counties. Univest National Bank and Trust Co. offers customers 33 financial service centers, 12 retirement financial services centers, and 39 ATM locations throughout the region, and is the parent company of Vanguard Leasing, Inc., a small ticket commercial leasing business. Univest Insurance, Inc., an independent insurance agency headquartered in Lansdale, Pa. serves commercial and personal customers, and has two divisions in Chester County – Donald K. Martin & Co. and B.G. Balmer & Co. Univest Investments, Inc. a full-service broker-dealer and investment advisory firm, offers a wide range of investment products and services.
This press release may contain forward-looking statements as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Actual results and trends could differ materially from those set forth in such statements due to various factors. Such factors include the possibility that increased demand or prices for the Company's financial services and products may not occur, changing economic and competitive conditions, technological developments, and other risks and uncertainties, including those detailed in the company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.