JAY — Local students are getting a free education in how to manage their money. OTIS Federal Credit Union is working with Banzai, a national award-winning financial literacy program, to make the curriculum available free to four schools in the Jay-Livermore-Livermore Falls and Fayette areas.
“Banzai is a web-based financial literacy program. Kids have their own bank accounts, and they work through assignments that are based on real life,” Morgan Vandagriff, co-founder of Banzai, said. “Because OTIS 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. OTIS Federal Credit Union realizes that, and they’re doing something about it.”
Banzai is an interactive, online program which aligns with state curriculum requirements for personal finance education. It has become the largest program of its kind, servicing more than 40,000 teachers and available in all 50 states.
OTIS 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 OTIS Federal Credit Union to improve financial literacy in local schools.”
Teachers interested in using the Banzai program can visit otisfcu.teachbanzai.com or call 888-8-BANZAI.
