Roundup Record Tribune & Winnett Times -

(September 23, 2019) -- Local students are getting a free education in how to manage their money. First Security Bank of Roundup is working with Banzai, a national award-winning financial literacy program, to make their curriculum available to schools in five local communities completely free. Shawn Dutton, CEO of First Security Bank said, “We believe in the future of our communities and believe this program is an investment in that future.”

"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 First Security Bank of Roundup 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 First Security Bank of Roundup 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 50,000 teachers and available in all 50 states.

First Security Bank of Roundup has offered time, money, industry experience, and a variety of bank 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 First Security Bank of Roundup to improve financial literacy in local schools.”

First Security Bank of Roundup has gone one step further and also made the program available to the public. To have access to the Banzai Financial Education package in your own home, go to http://www.1stseurityroundup.com and click on Financial Education under the Online Banking tab.

Teachers interested in using the Banzai program can visit http://www.1stsecurityroundup.teachbanzai.com or call 888-8-BANZAI.