MBA to sponsor 'A Banker in Every Classroom'

Bankers across Mississippi will be spending some time in the classroom this week, as Gov. Phil Bryant has proclaimed Monday-Friday "A Banker in Every Classroom Week" throughout the state.

During the week, hundreds of Mississippi bankers will join teachers to present lessons in personal finance — including savings, credit and budgeting — in grades K-12. The event, which is sponsored by the Mississippi Bankers Association, will be presented in public and private schools throughout the Magnolia State.

"Financial literacy is important to everyone in the state of Mississippi — it affects everybody," said MBA senior vice president of operations Amy Davis, who developed the program. "We thought it was important for bankers in every community in the state to go out and meet with students and teach them about some of the basics of personal finance."

The event will feature age-appropriate curriculum materials, which bankers and teachers agree upon prior to the visit.

"Whether it be careers ... or checking accounts, there's so many topics that can be discussed," Davis said. "The teacher and the banker talk about what their objectives are for that particular class, and then they come together to make the presentation."

This is the fourth year the MBA has sponsored the program, which reached more than 35,000 Mississippi students in its first three years.

This year, area banks participating in the event include BancorpSouth, The First – A National Banking Association, Hancock Bank, Community Bank and Wells Fargo. The MBA has more than 400 banker visits already scheduled, with Pine Belt stops including schools in Hattiesburg, Petal, Laurel, Baxterville and Seminary.

"I believe this program offers an opportunity for bankers to start educating all ages about the significance of good credit, saving and the importance of budgeting," said Wes Rouse, vice president of premier banking at BancorpSouth.

"This education is fundamental in understanding the difference between a want and a need, and the ability to differentiate between the two. Starting this education at an early age will benefit everyone involved when future decisions need to be made."

Rouse — who has participated in the program since its inception in 2011, when he visited 15 classrooms — said he'll take the opportunity this year to focus on an income and expense exercise. He'll also include a savings activity in which the class chooses an item it wants to purchase and then determines the best way to save for it.

"I would like them to show an interest in saving and spending by asking questions," he said. "If we can help them learn to make responsible spending decisions, then I think we've accomplished our goal."

Jerome Brown, senior vice president for community development at The First – A National Banking Association, said it's preferable to teach children good financial habits at a young age, because with that knowledge they're more likely to have better financial management practices in adulthood.

"When you get in adulthood, it really doesn't matter how much you make — it matters so much more how much you're able to keep," he said. "By keeping, you're able to budget and you're able to manage your finances hopefully a little bit better through these courses."

Brown said the event has been received warmly during its first three years, and he feels positive the students are taking away valuable lessons from the meetings.

"Any time visitors can come to the schools to talk about different things is always a plus, and the students love it because it's something new and something fresh," he said. "Especially from the teacher and administrator side, it's been a home run with us being able to come in and offer something that's really not a part of the curriculum and do something that's a little different."

Financial literacy information also will be sent home for parents of students involved in the program.

"We know that's important and key as well," Brown said. "We look forward to getting out there and trying to make a difference in everybody's life, and the hope is that the parents will look at the material and learn something as well."

Last year during "A Banker in Every Classroom Week," bankers provided 388 presentations to local schools, with 1,000 presentations during the last three years.

At a glance

'A Banker in Every Classroom'

• Monday-Friday has been designated as "A Banker in Every Classroom Week." During the event, hundreds of Mississippi bankers will join local teachers throughout the state to present lessons in personal finance in grades K-12.

• Participating local banks include BancorpSouth, The First – A National Banking Association, Hancock Bank, Community Bank and Wells Fargo.

• Participating local schools include Baxterville School, Oak Grove Lower Elementary, Oak Grove Middle, Hawkins Elementary, Hattiesburg High School, Petal Primary, Purvis Upper Elementary, West Jones Elementary, West Jones High School, Petal Upper Elementary, South Jones Middle School, South Jones High School, Richton Elementary, East Jones School, Longleaf Elementary, Seminary High School and Northeast Jones.

More schools may be added, as the Mississippi Bankers Association is still matching teachers and bankers.

• For more information on "A Banker in Every Classroom," call the Mississippi Bankers Association at 948-6366.