JEFFERSONVILLE —Underneath their masks, everyone was smiling at Jeff Bank last week when Lucas Petersheim, age 11, took his first step into financial success. He opened a savings account.

“I do the dishes, wash the car, wash the dogs,” said Lucas, to name just a few of his chores. He lives in Glen Spey and, in this next school year, will go into sixth grade at Delaware Valley School in Milford.

“I'm doing this for the future,” he said after signing forms at the bank along with his dad.

Lucas' father is Chuck Petersheim of Glen Spey, owner of the development, design, construction and real estate company Catskill Farms. His mother is Lisa Richard of Milford.

Lucas walked into the bank on Main Street in Jeffersonville with over $600 in cash and savings bonds. His father said it was important early on to teach the ability to understand and properly apply financial management skills.

“Financial illiteracy affects all ages, much to the detriment to their ability to manage their daily lives and grow wealth,” said Chuck. “The idea of tracking money, tracking spending and saving money is critical to one's mental health.”

Not to mention having a healthy relationship with one's bank, a good friend to Catskill Farms, said Petersheim.