SFCU Sponsors

Financial Literacy

Lessons For Kids

ONEONTA – With a free online curriculum, Sidney Federal Credit Union aims to help local students learn money management.

“More than ever, it’s important that kids develop sound financial skills to prepare them for the real world,” said Morgan Vandagriff, co-founder of Banzai, an award-winning financial literacy program. “Sidney FCU realizes that, and they’re doing something about it.”

SFCU has sponsored Banzai’ online, remote-friendly curriculum in order to make it free to students in Otsego, Broome, Chenango and Delaware counties. The program teaches not just budgeting, but managing unexpected expenses such as parking tickets, interest charges and overdraft fees. The educational program also introduces students to auto loans, bank statements, entertainment costs, savings and more.

“Kids get their own accounts, and they work through assignments that are based on real life,” said  Vandagriff.

The program, an interactive online program supplemented by printed workbooks and aligns with New York state curriculum requirements for personal finance education. The course work can be completed on any internet enabled computer or mobile device, and teachers are able to monitor student progress remotely. It has become the largest program of its kind, servicing more than 60,000 teachers nationwide.

Teachers interested in using the Banzai program can visit sfcu.teachbanzai.com or call 888-822-6924