American Partners Federal Credit Union Dedicates Student-Run Branch in Reidsville High School (9/11/2008)

In This Story: APFCU's Wilson: "This is the start of a wonderful relationship." Branch to offer deposit accounts, online banking, provide financial education. Lawmakers & media flock to ceremony. More pictures available on Flickr (click here).

Flanked by Rockingham County school system officials as well as local and state elected leaders, employees of American Partners Federal Credit Union dedicated a student-run branch at Reidsville High School on Wednesday morning, September 10. The Ram Branch of the credit union will provide students, teachers and other employees at the school the opportunity to open accounts with the credit union. The branch will also provide financial education to the student body.

"This is an exciting day for us," APFCU President/CEO Dorinda Edwards (left) noted at the dedication ceremony. Pictured with Edwards is APFCU Marketing Specialist Stephanie Wilson, and Ram Branch Employees Yuridia Serrato and Illya Winstead.

"This is an exciting day for us," APFCU President/CEO Dorinda Edwards noted at the dedication ceremony. Edwards praised the efforts of the school system to make the branch a reality, and gave special thanks to APFCU Marketing Specialist Stephanie Wilson for her efforts to bring the branch to the school. "I’ve seen Stephanie embrace a lot of causes over the years," Edwards said, "but she really poured her heart and soul into this effort."

The Ram Branch will be open three days each week for two hours and offer deposit accounts, including checking and savings. Students can also manage their money online using home banking, and will have access to debit cards.

Rockingham County School Superintendent Dr. Rodney Shotwell praised the credit union for investing in the students, and said it would play an important part in their lives. "If we can teach them here not to pick up that credit card application in college (and rack up a lot of debt), we will have accomplished something," Shotwell said.

Shotwell went on to praise the school for its commitment to excellence. "They have chosen to take it one step further and make financial literacy a focus."

Wilson said she was inspired to open a student-run branch last fall, when she visited a branch of Henrico Federal Credit Union that operates in a high school in Richmond, VA. After seeing the branch, Wilson, who has taught the NEFE High School Financial Planning Program extensively in Rockingham County, paid a call on Dr. Shotwell to pitch the idea.

"It’s extremely exciting," Wilson said. "This is the start of a wonderful relationship." Wilson said the credit union hoped to eventually have student-run branches in the other three county high schools in the future.

American Partners Federal Credit Union staffers put the finishing touches on the Ram Branch Wednesday morning. The student-run credit union will be open three days a week.

Reidsville High School Principal Jonathan Craig selected Senior Illya Winstead and Junior Yuridia Serrato to run the branch. Winstead and Serrato will be assisted by an APFCU employee. Each student will work three hours each week, and will be paid by the credit union for their efforts.

NC Representative Nelson Cole attended the branch dedication. Cole was joined by representatives from the offices of US Rep. Brad Miller and US Senate Candidate Kay Hagan. Members of the Reidsville City Council also attended. WFMY-TV (coverage here) in Greensboro covered the dedication, along with the Greensboro News & Record.

After the dedication ceremony, Winstead and Serrato began signing students up for membership in the school cafeteria. APFCU elected to waive the membership fee for those students who join the credit union during the fall semester.