SLIDELL, Louisiana–St. Tammany FCU here has expanded its youth-oriented offerings by expanding into local schools—and it is using its own school bus to do so.
In 2018, the $27-million credit union launched a program called “CU Crew” it said was designed to “foster a sense of financial independence among the youth savings and checking account holders, increasing levels of account features as the children grow and become more financially responsible.”
It has since expanded with a pilot program in St. Tammany Parish Public Schools called “CU in School.” Now, one day each month on “Credit Union Deposit Day,” the credit union reported two of its staff members visit an elementary school. Initially, STFCU staff would set up a makeshift teller station in the cafeteria, with children who brought deposits for their account able to choose a prize from the treasure box and get their rewards card stamped. STFCU staff also distribute a financial education worksheet packet for each child for the teachers to distribute to their entire classroom, whether the child has opened an account yet or not.
‘Unforgettable Experience’
To reach more students, and to “create a member experience for our youth that would be unforgettable,” St. Tammany FCU has transformed a school bus and is navigating their way through St Tammany Parish with what it calls “CU Rollin,’ its mobile branch. It includes with two teller stations, and a member lobby. There are built-in benches, WiFi, air conditioning, background music, a fun and friendly atmosphere, and full access to member accounts, the credit union said.
“The acquisition and renovation of the school bus into CU Rollin’ gives the credit union the ability to reach far and wide throughout the parish to provide the same products and services that members are accustomed to when they walk into a credit union office,” STFCU said, adding the school bus serves as a visual reminder that St. Tammany Federal Credit Union was founded to serve the St. Tammany Parish School Board in 1957.
The credit union has approximately 5,700 members.