Community Plus Bank began as a student credit union more than fifty years ago and their connection with schools has remained strong ever since.
In 1995 the bank started the School One program in Rochester schools.
‘We started the program to cement our relationship with students,? said the bank’s district manager, Terry Lehman.
School One has spread to 23 schools since its inception, including Lake Orion’s.
In elementary schools, students are able to start savings accounts with the bank as early as kindergarten and make deposits once a week during the school year.
After students drop off their quarters and dollar bills, one of the more than 40 parent volunteers delivers the money to the bank.
In the high school, Community Plus opened a full-service branch, offering students and staff a convenient place to do their banking. The branch is run by students as part of a ‘school to work? course.
‘This is an opportunity and an education in responsible money management,? Lehman said. ‘School One offers them financial tools like saving and balancing a checkbook.?
Karol Farrington is the School One coordinator from Community Plus and supervises the high school branch.
She notes that the program can open up career opportunities for both participating students and volunteers.
‘I started out as a volunteer at Blanche Sims Elementary,? she said. ‘And we have a teller at the bank right now who started as a student and is working his way through college.?
School One also rewards participants with incentives for responsible saving. Prizes include a night light, a piggy bank and a gift card up to $50. In addition, anyone who makes a deposit is entered into a monthly raffle for $15 gift certificates to local merchants.
Lake Orion resident Cindy Zweber has two participating students, one at Orion Oaks and the other at LOHS.
‘This is such a wonderful program,? she said. ‘I just want to get the word out. It’s a shame more students aren’t participating.?