FRESNO, Calif.—Numerous CUs operate branches in conjunction with local schools, but one CU here has gone an extra step with a full-service facility open to all members.
At the start of this school semester in September, the $3-billion Educational Employees CU opened a full-service branch located on the grounds of Clovis West High School.
The office, just over half the size (2, 236 square feet) of the credit union’s typical office, is attached to the high school’s administrative building. After entering the CU’s lobby and passing the teller lines, the credit union is connected to a classroom, a training room, the student store, and the school’s hallways.
“We are actually part of the school’s campus,” said Marketing Director Jim Lowe.
Vocational Program Partner
The goal is to provide 24 juniors and seniors each year with education in banking and finance, all part of the school’s vocational program. The school provides the classroom teachers, and the CU dedicates staff for training activities and then gives students an every-day banking experience.
“This takes financial training well beyond the classroom and gives students relevant experience in banking,” said Lowe.
Students go through the program for the entire school year, and each student works a two-hour shift at the credit union at various times during the week, fitting their work it into their class schedule. The branch employs three professional staff, a manger and two support people. The students, primarily, run the teller lines.
“This gives students the ability to learn about the banking business from the ground up,” said Lowe, who added that the credit union difference is shared in the training as well. “They are receiving very meaningful work experience.”
The students are not paid, but receive class credit for their work at the branch.
Training for the program actually started before the school opened its doors again this fall. Lowe said that to have the kids ready to work in the credit union when the banking classes started, that education for them began in the summer.
“With this program the students go through everything they need to acquire basic banking business skills,” said Lowe. “That means everything from customer service, to interacting with members, to the more technical aspects of managing transactions.”
The branch serves the community as well, offering all EECU’s loan and deposit products. The high school office is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Situated in the student parking lot, the office has designated spaces for members, so member parking is always available.
Another Way To Give Back
The location was constructed as part of a partnership with the credit union and the Clovis Unified School District.
“Clovis is known for being a progressive school district,” said Lowe. “Our charter ties us back to education, so this effort is in our DNA. The school district approached us because they wanted to aggressively pursue teaching students about business and finance.”
The credit union’s office was constructed by the Clovis Unified School District via a grant from the State of California and matching funds from the school district. All equipment, and costs of operating the branch, are covered by EECU.
Lowe said that the unique office delivers many benefits.
“It provides us with another way to give back to the community, and helps students graduate with very good banking skills. I do think, too, that we will get some employees out of this,” said Lowe.