Local students are getting a free education on how to manage their money. Field & Main Bank is working with Banzai, a national award-winning financial literacy program, to make the curriculum available to Henderson County High School students 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 Field & Main Bank 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. Field & Main Bank realizes that and they’re doing something about it.”
Banzai is built for distance learning. It 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 60,000 teachers and available in all 50 states.
Field & Main Bank has offered time, money, industry experience, and a variety of 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,” Scott Davis, CEO of Field & Main Bank said. “Banzai teaches students to navigate those twists and turns and come out on top. We’re excited to work with Henderson County High School to improve the financial literacy of our students.”
Teachers interested in using the Banzai program can visit teachbanzai.com or call 888-8-BANZAI.
