Financial Partners Federal Credit Union Makes Award-Winning Literacy Program
Local students are getting a free education in how to manage their money.
Originally posted on www.westbendnews.net
Financial Partners Federal Credit Union is working with Banzai, a national award-winning financial literacy program, to make curriculum available to Woodburn, Leo, Antwerp, Hoagland, and Paulding areas completely free.
“Banzai is a web-based financial literacy program. Kids get their own accounts, and they work through assignments that are based on real life,” Morgan Vandagriff, co-founder of Banzai, said. “But because Financial Partners Federal Credit Union is sponsoring it, local schools get it for free. More than ever, it’s important that kids develop sound financial skills to prepare them for the real world, and Financial Partners Federal Credit Union realizes that and they’re doing something about it.”
Banzai is an interactive, online program supplemented by printed workbooks which aligns with state curriculum requirements for personal finance education. It has become the largest program of its kind, servicing more than 27,000 teachers and available in all 50 states.
Financial Partners Federal Credit Union has offered time, money, industry experience, and a variety of credit union resources to help local schools teach personal finance in the classroom. Students using the program are exposed to real-life scenarios where they learn to pay bills and balance a budget – but it’s not always easy. Students must learn to manage unexpected expenses such as parking tickets, interest charges and overdraft fees. The educational program also introduces students to auto loans, bank statements, entertainment costs, savings and more.
“Too often students get out of school and they just aren’t ready for the financial roller coasters life can give us,” Vandagriff said. “Banzai teaches students to navigate those twists and turns and come out on top. We’re excited to work with Financial Partners Federal Credit Union to improve financial literacy in local schools.”
“This is an exciting, interactive financial curriculum that gives the students a taste of real-world financial issues that face their families every day. We are excited to provide Eastern Allen County and the surrounding schools an opportunity to expose students to this very valuable educational experience. From a teaching perspective the curriculum adheres to Indiana State guidelines. So this is truly and win-win for the teachers and students,” adds Dave Shuey, President and CEO of Financial Partners FCU.
Financial Partners Federal Credit Union is also giving the students, teachers, and employees of the area schools savings and loan incentives through the end of the school year. “We want to be able to give back to the communities that we serve, and there is no better way than through savings specials for the students and loan specials for the teachers and employees,” states Shuey.
Teachers interested in using the Banzai program can visit financialpartnersfcu.teachbanzai.com or call 888-8-BANZAI. For more information on the other financial programs of the credit union individuals can go to financialpartnersfcu.org.