Financial empowerment from a friendly face

For many, money can feel overwhelming — even more so because the knowledge, skills, and confidence needed to manage money effectively are not always taught in school. For those who miss out on financial literacy education at home or in school, those skills can feel out of reach — and that’s exactly what Brittany Planos aims to change. 

Lifting the curtain

As manager of UBT’s Financial Literacy Program, Brittany’s goal isn’t just to teach people about budgeting or credit scores; it’s to empower people in the community by making money feel accessible. 

Brittany joined UBT in 2022 to lead the Financial Literacy Program, which partners with local nonprofits to deliver free financial literacy classes and workshops. These sessions cover practical topics like budgeting, banking basics, and how to build credit, but what truly sets them apart is how they’re taught — because according to Brittany, “Financial literacy is more empowering when it’s accessible, but also a little bit fun.” 

Before joining UBT, Brittany worked in higher education, supporting low-income and first-generation college students as they navigated student loans and financial aid. She considers herself a teacher at heart, and that shows up in the way she leads workshops for learners of all ages. Her lesson plans are designed to spark curiosity and conversation, often with hands-on activities like playing a bankified version of Jenga to illustrate how different factors affect your credit score. 

That creative approach makes a difference. Brittany often talks about the “light bulb moments” she witnesses during workshops — when someone suddenly understands a concept that once felt confusing or intimidating. Those moments, she says, are what empowerment looks like.

An opportunity for connection

To Brittany, UBT’s financial literacy program embodies the bank’s core principle of caring about our customers, our communities, and each other. Based in Lincoln and recently expanded to include Omaha, the program partners with dozens of local organizations to provide education opportunities for learners as young as grade schoolers and as old as senior citizens. UBT is currently the only bank in Lincoln with a dedicated financial literacy staff member — something Brittany sees as both a responsibility and an opportunity.

Rather than relying on generic online tools or one-size-fits-all materials, the program is built around real questions from real people. Brittany collaborates with colleagues across the bank to develop content that reflects local needs and real-life scenarios.

“I try to approach it with empathy and understanding that a lot of us just missed the money memo, and that’s OK,” Brittany says. “We’re here now, and we’re going to learn — and learn together.” 

Empathy rooted in lived experience

Brittany truly identifies with that feeling of having missed the money memo. Her family didn’t have a lot growing up, and she can remember a time not that long ago when everything she owned fit in her car. She understands firsthand what it’s like to struggle financially, and she believes knowledge can be a powerful tool for breaking cycles and creating opportunities. “I’ve been broke, I’ve had no money, and it’s like, ‘Who am I to teach others about their finances?’” Brittany says. “And I have to remember, I’m the perfect person to teach others about finance — I’ve been through it.” 

Her open mind and open heart make it easy to connect with Brittany… and so does her sunny personality, which is usually on full display through her famously colorful wardrobe and shoe collection. “It makes people feel that finance isn’t so stuffy,” she says with a laugh. 

Through her creativity, compassion, and community partnerships, Brittany is helping make money more empowering for people of all ages. And in doing so, she’s redefining what financial literacy can look like when it’s guided by care, connection, and a whole lot of heart.