Student-Run Bank Sponsored by First Kentucky for Over 19 Years Provides Unique Learning Experience
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First Kentucky Bank has sponsored GC Trust, a student-run bank inside of Graves County High School, for over 19 years. Every week, Tuesday through Friday, during lunch periods, students can make savings deposits or take out small loans. First Kentucky makes a capital donation and then assists the GC Trust Class with running the bank. First Kentucky employees train students and visit them throughout the school year to make sure all of the accounts and loans are in order. Graves County High School students can cash a check, start a savings account or take out small loans. These loans can be less than $5 and must be paid within a day, or they can take out larger loans to help them pay for class rings, graduation gowns and yearbooks. These larger loans require parental consent and must be paid in order to graduate.
Sponsored by First Kentucky Bank since 2004, it provides students with an opportunity to gain knowledge and experience in managing their finances.
GCHS Business & Marketing Teacher, Emily Redden, explained “It’s our job as teachers to prepare students for every facet of life. Being responsible with your money and learning how to manage it well is something we consider to be vital in terms of a successful future. We want them to leave here with the knowledge to maintain prosperous careers, but if they have no experience on how to manage the fruits of their labor, then we have missed a very important piece of the puzzle.”
From the origin of GC Trust, First Kentucky employees have met with Graves County High School students from the GC Trust Class at the beginning of each school year to train them and help them prepare for their Grand Opening. In addition to sponsoring the student-run bank, the bank employees continue to meet with the students and GC Trust Advisor throughout the school year to help monitor and assist with the day-to-day operations.
“First Kentucky Bank is passionate about financial education in the schools and community, which is why the bank invests in programs, like GC Trust, EVERFI, and Prosper. The bank is committed to helping youth and adults become financially literate because knowing how to properly manage money is essential to being a successful and responsible adult. First Kentucky is proud to be a longtime sponsor of GC Trust, which offers a unique learning opportunity for the students in the GC Trust class and those utilizing the services of the student-run bank at Graves County High School,” explained First Kentucky Bank Marketing Officer, Amanda Rorer.
Oftentimes, students are more confident in concepts they learn when they can participate in hands-on projects. Corie Young, First Kentucky Bank Branch Administration Officer, explained, “There is no better training for the financial world than running a real-life bank. The GC Trust students learn first-hand how to operate a bank and responsibly handle money, and the students who utilize the bank’s Loan and Savings services also learn the importance of personal money management.”
This year’s staff includes juniors, Ellie Swift, Joselyn Leonard, and Lainey Smith. GC Trust had their opening day for the 2023-2024 school year on Tuesday, September 26th. Normal banking hours are every Tuesday-Thursday from 12:15-1:25.
First Kentucky is committed to the education of both students and adults in money matters. That’s why the bank sponsors GC Trust, EVERFI in local schools and have begun the Prosper initiative. In schools across its six-county region, First Kentucky sponsors EVERFI, a learning platform that teachers can use in their curriculum. In this program, students learn about the different types of bank accounts, how credit scores work and how to apply for financial aid for college. Currently, First Kentucky hosts this program in 13 schools across the region. Prosper is an initiative to help everyone understand their finances, no matter their stage of life. On the Prosper and Achieve tab located at firstkentucky.com, parents can learn how to teach their children important money lessons, newlyweds can learn how to combine their finances and more! To learn more about First Kentucky’s Prosper initiative and other ways the bank is involved in the community, visit firstkentucky.com.
About First Kentucky Bank
First Kentucky Bank is a Kentucky-based community bank established in 1899 with assets exceeding $552 million. First Kentucky provides a personal approach to finances for those in six counties, including Carlisle, Graves, Livingston, Marshall, Muhlenberg, and Ohio. They are committed to bringing customers simple ways to connect, grow, and protect their financial health in both personal and business endeavors. First Kentucky is a Member FDIC bank and an Equal Housing Lender.
