SANTA FE — As 2025 comes to its end, the New Mexico State Treasurer’s Office reflected on a year of positive growth, equitable outcomes, and strengthened service to New Mexicans. Throughout the year, the STO advanced various initiatives designed to promote financial stability, expand opportunity, and ensure responsible stewardship of public funds invested by the state.
“Our STO team is working diligently to continue building on our momentum and carry our strong trajectory into 2026 for another year of sustained progress and record-breaking growth in state funds and public engagement,” Treasurer Laura M. Montoya said. “As always, it is an immense honor to serve New Mexicans and improve prosperity for all. We will accelerate our efforts into the new year to advance equity and ensure that every community in New Mexico will feel and benefit from the positive impacts of our work.”
THE STO’S 2025 ACCOMPLISHMENTS
Investments – Throughout fiscal year 2025, the STO managed $19.6 billion among seven portfolios, generating $722 million in returns, the largest in New Mexico history. The Local Government Investment Pool – Short Term, which invests on behalf of local governments and authorities throughout the state, has seen its highest number of participants in FY25. The portfolio has more than doubled, with a net balance totaling $2.3 billion. Montoya also created the LGIP – Medium Term fund in efforts to collaborate with the State Investment Council, which has invested over $1 billion and earned more than $600,000 in interest.
Baby Bonds – Montoya championed Baby Bonds. Baby Bonds is a growing national initiative designed to provide children with state-managed trust accounts intended to fund long-term wealth building expenses, including trade or higher education, homeownership, or startup capital for entrepreneurial endeavors. She worked closely with legislative leaders to introduce Baby Bonds legislation (Senate Bill 397) during the 60-day legislative session in 2025. Since then, Montoya facilitated a national campaign to increase awareness of Baby Bonds and promote it as a viable investment for New Mexicans to achieve financial independence without overreliance on state or federally sponsored assistance.
The STO collaborated with Northern College President Hector Balderas and Prosperity Works to launch a Baby Bonds pilot program for trade students who are planning on having children and building families in New Mexico.
Financial Fitness – The STO visited over 15 schools throughout New Mexico to promote financial fitness as a high school graduation requirement and introduce financial topics to children at all grade levels. Montoya also met with district superintendents and school board members to encourage them to pursue financial fitness as a beneficial addition to their curricula. As of September, 49 public school districts (reaching 150,000+ students) have implemented financial literacy as a high school graduation requirement for their students.
The STO also held two first-of-their-kind Financial Empowerment Summits, free of charge and open to the public. The inaugural summit, which took place in Las Vegas, N.M., shared information tailored specifically to Calf Canyon/Hermits Peak fire victims to maximize their use of Federal Emergency Managament Agency funding. The second, most recent summit was held in partnership with the City of Albuquerque with a focus on empowering the general public with financial insights from local experts, addressing a broad range of topics including estate planning, credit, investment basics, and more.
NM STABLE – Since taking office, TMontoya bolstered the New Mexico State Treasurer’s Achieving a Better Life Experience program, advancing it to the fourth largest Achieving a Better Life Experience program in the nation.
NM STABLE allows individuals with disabilities to save and invest funds for qualifying expenses without losing access to Medicaid, Supplemental Security Income, or other federal benefits. The NM STABLE program currently boasts over 2,300 accounts opened and $20.17 million in total assets for the disabled community, without reinforcing the ‘use it or lose it’ framework often found in traditional public assistance programs.
The STO also helped facilitate the passing of state legislation that removes clawbacks and expands access to NM STABLE. Beginning Jan. 1, the age of disability onset required for eligibility will increase from 26 to 46, expanding access to individuals who may have acquired a disability later in life, such as veterans.
Throughout January, new account holders who make an initial deposit of at least $25 will benefit from a $25 match through partnership with the Ohio STO.
The STO also collaborated with the Children, Youth, and Families Department to open NM STABLE accounts on behalf of New Mexican foster children with disabilities. For more information, visit nmstable.com.
Education – Montoya and State Auditor Joseph Maestas are participating in early talks with key higher education leaders to develop curricula and degree programs focusing on government accounting, budgeting, and investing. She stressed the growing demand for qualified and experienced professionals in the state to fill key public finance roles and the need for homegrown expertise to ensure the interests of New Mexicans are best protected and considered.
The STO, in collaboration with the SIC, invited New Mexico State University students to visit the STO’s offices to learn investment basics and gain insight into the world of government finance. The STO is looking forward to receiving some of these students as interns with the hope that they will be inspired to use their education to serve New Mexico at the state level. The STO is currently planning to foster internship opportunities for New Mexico higher education students, as well as young women participating in the Girls Who Invest program.
Women Empowerment – Montoya served as a featured panelist or speaker at several women empowerment conferences and events in-state and nationally. She emphasized the importance of and need for diverse fund managers and finance leaders as a strategic means of generating greater returns, placing a strong emphasis on uplifting women of color into these roles.
To learn more about the STO’s initiatives, visit www.nmsto.gov.
