Young Americans Center for Financial Education on Wednesday named longtime Denver banker Matt Lynett as its new president and chief executive.
Lynett, a former president of Wells Fargo Bank, will begin leading the nonprofit on Monday. He takes over from Barbara Danbom, who in February announced she would step down to help care for her aging parents.
During a news conference, Lynett outlined his vision for the nearly 20-year-old organization, which seeks to promote financial education through an array of initiatives. The center is also home to Young Americans Bank, the nation’s only bank exclusively for youngsters.
“This could be a wonderful model on a national basis,” said Lynett, referring to nascent plans to expand programs to other parts of the U.S. “That is a goal.”
Lynett suggested rolling out programs in New Mexico, where the nonprofit’s founder, Bill Daniels, spent part of his youth.
“Why wouldn’t we take a peek at Albuquerque and see what’s going on?” Lynett said.
Daniels, the Denver cable television pioneer who died in 2000, garnered national attention when he started Young Americans Bank. The financial institution now has $14 million in assets and 14,000 customers.
Lynett, 58, holds degrees from Manhattan College in New York and the University of Colorado Graduate School of Banking. He was chairman of the Mile High United Way’s 2005 fundraising campaign.
He was chosen from a pool of 80 applicants for the post, said Linda Childears, the center’s former CEO. Childears is president and chief executive of the Daniels Fund, one of the Rocky Mountain region’s largest charitable foundations.
“He was the clear choice,” said Childears, citing Lynett’s experience in banking, nonprofits and fundraising. “He brings everything to the table.”
Staff writer Will Shanley can be reached at 303-954-1260 or wshanley@denverpost.com.
