Local Students Learn Financial Skills Through Banzai Program

Originally posted on uticaod.com

These skills are important for young adults to master, but aren’t always taught in schools.

“Too often students get out of school and they just aren’t ready for the financial roller-coasters life can give us,” said Morgan Vandagriff, co-founder of Banzai, a web-based financial literacy program, in a news release.

So, First Source Federal Credit Union has teamed with Banzai to help local students get a free education on how to manage money.

The program will make curriculum available to Oneida County schools free of charge.

Rachel Yentes, a spokeswoman for Banzai, said 12 local schools will have access to the program.

“More than ever, it’s important that kids develop sound financial skills to prepare them for the real world, and First Source Federal Credit Union realizes that and they’re doing something about it,” Vandagriff said.

Banzai is an interactive online program supplemented by printed workbooks that align with state curriculum requirements for personal finance education, according to officials. It’s served more than 17,000 teachers in every state in the country.

Students using the program are exposed to real-life scenarios where they learn to pay bills and balance a budget, while managing unexpected expenses such as parking tickets, interest charges and overdraft fees.

The educational program also teaches students about auto loans, bank statements, entertainment costs and savings.

“Banzai teaches students to navigate those twists and turns and comes out on top,” Vandagriff said. “We’re excited to work with First Source Federal Credit Union to improve financial literacy in Oneida County.”

Teachers interested in using the Banzai program can visit teachbanzai.com or call 888-8-BANZAI.