In Augusta, Georgia, a story of legacy and family financial empowerment unfolded at Cadence Bank’s Augusta Daniel Village branch. Michael Meyers, a long-term customer, is determined to pass on the invaluable lessons from his grandfather to the next generation.

For Michael Meyers, family has always been at the heart of everything he does. A loyal Cadence Bank customer for 26 years, Michael’s journey with the bank began with a lesson from his grandfather, a man who profoundly impacted his life.

“My grandfather’s probably been the most impactful person. My life has always been trying to somewhat emulate him,” recalled Michael. “Anything he advised me to do, I did. Banking is such a serious thing. I’m glad that my grandfather walked me into this bank 26 years ago. It’s probably one of the best decisions that ever happened in my life.”

Inspired by his grandfather’s example of bringing him to a bank to learn all about financial literacy, Michael decided to pass on these valuable lessons to his nephew, Amari Ward. Michael gifted Amari $50 to open his first bank account at Cadence Bank, intending to set him on the same path of financial wisdom.

Michael’s connection with Cadence Bank Branch Manager Tina D’Antignac runs deep. Before joining the U.S. Army, Michael’s grandfather took him to open an account with Tina. Since then, Michael and Tina have formed a strong bond. It didn’t take long for Tina to make a similar impression on Gerreanda Dunn, Amari’s mother.

“When we walked in, it was like seeing family,” Gerreanda said. “Miss Tina was great about explaining everything to Amari and breaking it down so he could understand. She read his book that he brought in with him. It was more personal. And so, I really appreciated that from her.”

Tina has been in banking for over 40 years. For her, customer relationships are everything, and seeing those relationships transcend generations makes her job special.

“The philosophy for our customers is family,” Tina explained. “Once you meet a family, you bank the entire family. It takes a village to raise a child, and knowing that Michael is part of Gerreanda’s village, I am so proud of him and what he is doing.”

For Gerreanda, opening an account for Amari was an important first step toward building a secure future for her son.

“Having his own bank account gives him a sense of responsibility and ownership,” she said. “Starting early and building generational wealth will help in the long run to build something so that he won’t have to struggle like I did. Amari was super excited because he's like, ‘I have money!’ And so, I'm just like, ‘Yes, you have money. But it's to save.’”

Amari was thrilled with his new account. Michael’s gesture and Tina’s dedication to building strong customer relationships have set Amari on a path to financial literacy and a brighter future.

When family values, community support and financial empowerment come together, they can demonstrate the profound impact one person’s life can have on future generations. This is one of the many reasons Cadence Bank is here helping opportunity take shape.

It’s never too early to teach your kids about money, and it’s an ongoing, years-long process. If you’re interested in teaching banking habits to the young ones in your life, open a Cadence Young Savers Account today.

For more about Cadence Bank, visit us online to learn about what we do to help people, communities and businesses prosper.