By Amy Higgins
The Cincinnati Enquirer

A dollar saved turned into two more dollars earned for 26 Hughes Center students Tuesday.

As members of the SmartMoney Community Services' Smart Bankers Club, the high school seniors collectively saved $13,859 since early 2002. To reward their discipline, Fifth Third Bank matched their savings 2-for-1, adding an additional $27,718 to the pot.

"Over the past 15 months, students have had the opportunity to learn financial literacy skills that will aid them to make informed decisions throughout their lives," said Ed Owens III, Fifth Third's community affairs director.

SmartMoney started the program last year, in collaboration with Fifth Third, Cincinnati Public Schools and the Cincinnati Youth Collaborative's Partners in Education, to help teach students budgeting and savings skills.

The students say it worked.

Lauren O'Bryant had to stop herself from buying a shirt at Lerner's one day. James Brooks skipped going to the movies, while Marcus Cannon learned to go without new shoes he wanted but didn't need.

They and their 23 classmates at the University Heights high school made disciplined deposits of $20 to $50 each month and went to classes to learn good financial wisdom.

The program required the students to meet regular savings goals and attend 70 percent of the financial literacy sessions in order to qualify for the matching funds.

"They pressed a lot about credit cards," Lauren said. "They're not all bad, but you can get yourself into a lot of debt."

Lauren's mother, Shirley O'Bryant, accompanied her to Tuesday's reception at the Bankers Club downtown honoring the inaugural Smart Bankers Club class. She's glad Lauren is learning lessons she didn't until much older.

"This is really good for them to know," she said.

Most of the students are planning to use their share of the $41,577 total for college tuition or computers to help them in college. Some have earmarked their portions, which range from $585 to $2,400, for small business startup costs.

Deborah Brooks said that her son James' portion of $2,256 will help pay for his first quarter at University of Cincinnati. Although the all-state football star was offered scholarships from other schools, he wanted to try to walk on the team at UC.

SmartMoney executive director Darrick Dansby said he hopes the program grows beyond CPS.

"Smart Bankers Club is an outstanding pilot," he said. "Our hope is that other corporate leaders will join Fifth Third Bank and that we will able to expand the number of students participating in the program."

E-mail ahiggins@enquirer.com