Pictured above, student investor Emma Kitchingman with WBS Chief Executive John Healy.

Emma, a Year 13 student at St Matthews Collegiate in Masterton, has an impressive attitude to saving at such an early age. From the simple piggybank she used to pop her spare change in, ‘to keep safe and out of reach’, to a term investment at WBS, Emma is excited about her recent investment decision.

Like most young people, Emma placed her hard-earned savings in a bank account. But unlike many young people, she realised over time that her savings weren’t growing or getting much of a return. Cue the local connections and special nature of smaller community – through discussions with family and friends, she found her way to a friend’s mother, who happened to work at WBS.

‘I saw that WBS offered a really good term investment rate – it was actually the best I could find – so I took the opportunity.’

Emma credits her parents for always being supportive of her savings goals. They encouraged her to take the leap with the 1-year investment at WBS, despite not being customers themselves. And the best thing now for Emma is that her funds are ‘locked away’ while she continues to save and plan.

The personalised service WBS offers is a big positive for Emma. They provide regular updates advising her how much her investment has grown or is projected to grow. She finds this very motivating, and it inspires her to continue to save. ‘I like that WBS are a local business. It is nice to support local.’

Emma doesn’t have specific plans for her funds yet, other than to build up her investment for as long as she can. At the end of her 1-year term she is already considering about how much she may be able to reinvest – this is a long, smart game for Emma.

When asked about any financial advice she could share with other young people, Emma was clear: ‘Set goals and build up to them. Have something to aim for, then save.’

Wise words from a young local we are very proud to support.