Global analytics software leader FICO has expanded its commitment to First Tee, a national youth development organization, to integrate credit education into its programs for young people across the United States. This deepened investment will support national First Tee initiatives and broaden access to financial literacy tools for chapters, participants, and alumni.
The partnership highlights FICO’s dedication to First Tee’s approach, which utilizes golf to teach life skills and values that extend beyond the course. As part of this collaboration, FICO plans to host hands-on credit education workshops for First Tee participants at various chapter locations. These events are designed to align with golf tournaments in their respective markets. First Tee – Miami and First Tee – Metro Atlanta are among the initial chapters to implement these on-site educational programs.
A recent activation of this partnership occurred at the inaugural Cadillac Championship in Miami, where nearly 100 First Tee participants engaged with professional golfer Keegan Bradley in a putting challenge, live golf demonstration, and Q&A session. This was complemented by a FICO-led credit education workshop, which connected lessons in discipline, resilience, and financial confidence to both athletic and financial development.
Charles De Lucca, President of First Tee Miami, expressed gratitude for the support, stating, “The kids had a great opportunity to meet and hear from Keegan Bradley, and to take part in FICO’s workshop, learning how strong credit can help set them up for success in life.”
FICO is making its suite of credit education tools and resources available nationwide to First Tee chapters and alumni. These resources include the Score a Better Future® (SABF) Fundamentals program, a complimentary credit literacy initiative designed to equip young individuals with the knowledge needed for financially informed adulthood. Additionally, Banzai, a free credit education platform used in over 70% of U.
S. schools, will be accessible.
Data from a FICO consumer survey, conducted by The Harris Poll, indicates that 79% of Americans believe financial education should be offered in high schools, and 28% of Gen Z adults do not consider themselves financially literate. For First Tee participants, understanding personal finance and credit can be as impactful as the leadership and character skills developed through golf.
Nikhil Behl, President of Software at FICO, commented on the initiative, saying, “The FICO® Score influences some of the most important moments in a person’s life, from renting a first apartment to paying for college to financing a car. Yet most young people enter adulthood with little understanding of how credit scores work — or how their FICO® Score can shape these major financial decisions. Partnering with First Tee is a natural extension of our commitment to change that, meeting young people in a setting where they are already motivated and engaged.”
This expanded partnership builds upon prior collaborations between First Tee and FICO, which included chapter-level events in Canada and North Carolina, reflecting a shared commitment to engaging young people in their communities and on the golf course.
Founded in 1956, FICO is known for its pioneering use of predictive analytics and data science to enhance operational decisions for businesses globally. The company holds over 200 U.
S. and foreign patents on technologies that contribute to increased profitability, customer satisfaction, and growth across various industries. The FICO® Score, a standard measure of consumer credit risk, is utilized by 90% of top U.
S. lenders and has been implemented in more than 40 other countries.
