Commerce and pro soccer players score big with event teaching kids smart money habits.

The event brought together families from across the region to meet striker João Klauss and forward Simon Becher, two players from St. Louis’ professional soccer team. Children ages 6 through 12 got the chance to have their pictures taken with the players and kick soccer balls around while learning important money management skills.

"We felt that this was a great way for kids to have a lot of fun while also learning some basics about managing money,” said Darryl Collins, Commerce’s Executive Vice President of Retail Administration, who was one of many team members involved in creating the event. “It’s never too early to start developing smart spending and saving habits.”

The event welcomed both Commerce customers and community members who discovered the opportunity through a free sweepstakes announced on our social media channels link opens to Commerce Bank on Instagram. This approach allowed us to reach families throughout the area, regardless of their current banking relationships.

During the evening, children received a handout with information about the benefits of saving money. “We wanted to show kids that setting aside even small amounts can add up over time, making it possible to buy special items like a new soccer ball or their favorite player's jersey,” says Collins. To help reinforce these lessons at home, every child received a free piggy bank to take with them.

The combination of meeting local sports stars and learning about finances created an engaging experience that resonated with both kids and parents. “It’s a neat opportunity to give people a chance to meet a pair of our local sports heroes and help kids learn good money habits,” Collins explains. “For us, it’s another way to be more involved with the communities we serve.”

The event reflects Commerce Bank's commitment to financial education and community engagement. By making it fun and accessible to learn about money management, the bank helps young people develop skills that will serve them well throughout their lives. The soccer theme made the financial concepts more relatable and exciting for the children, while parents appreciated the practical value of the lessons their kids were learning.

Events like this are an example of Commerce’s deep connection with the St. Louis community — providing valuable resources to help young people build stronger financial futures and having a little fun along the way.