Credit union provides financial learning resources to schools

Originally posted in The Artseia Daily Press

CARLSBAD -- Financial Security Credit Union of Carlsbad has provided 3,560 students and teachers at 23 schools in Eddy County with free access to Banzai.

Banzai is an award-winning online financial literacy program and content library of articles, calculators and personalizable coaches. All of these resources are available to students at home or in the classroom via any device that can access the internet.

“Thank you to Financial Security Credit Union for the Banzai resources you have provided,” said a Carlsbad High School teacher. “They are useful in the reiteration of the concepts I cover in class. This is the first year I’m using the teen books, which have proven more useful to my high school kids. I’m looking forward to delving further into the website that is associated with the books as well.”

Banzai is a web-based financial literacy pro- gram,” said Morgan Vandagriff, co-founder of Banzai. “Kids get their own accounts, and they work through assignments that are based on real life. But because Financial Security 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 Security Credit Union realizes that and they’re doing something about it.”

Banzai content builds a foundation of practical knowledge and gives students the tools to create a sound financial future. While students learn, teachers can easily monitor and grade their progress remotely. After finishing Banzai, students will know how to track where their money is and what it’s for, recognize financial trade-offs, build a budget, and more.

At a time when many are facing unprecedented financial challenges, these lessons are invaluable. The Banzai resources are available at finseccu.teachbanzai.com.

For six years, Financial Security Credit Union has worked with Banzai to build financial literacy in the Eddy County community by investing time, money, industry experience, and a variety of credit union resources. Beyond the Banzai library, Financial Security Credit Union also offers virtual or in-classroom presentations from local experts on timely topics.

Banzai resources are used by more than 75,000 teachers across the U.S. The courses align with New Mexico’s state curriculum requirements, making the program a fun way for students to gain vital financial literacy skills.

Teachers interested in using the Banzai pro- gram with their class can visit finseccu.teachbanzai.com or call 888-8-BANZAI.

For more information about Banzai visit teach- banzai.com. For more information about Financial Security Credit Union visit finseccu.com.