Lauren Goines (PCHS 11th grade), Kassie Franks, Brittany Fox, Skylar King (PCHS 11th grade), Jessica Chambliss and Sandra Duncan stand at the new CB&S Bank branch at PCHS.

By Nicole Burns for the FCT

It’s a first for Phil Campbell High School and a continuation to further invest in financial education for a local business. PCHS students now have easy access to a bank and most of its benefits. Last week, CB&S Bank officially opened the Bobcat Branch, a mini bank branch located inside the school.

“I think it’s a really good thing,” said PCHS Principal Gary Odom. “I think this could be good for the bank but also for us. I’ve already had several kids who say they want to work at the bank. Maybe they can learn the financial end of everything by working the bank. It will be good for them.”

CB&S officials recruited four PCHS students to help operate the bank. “We learned the simple teller procedures. We went to the bank in Russellville. They had us in their employee training room, and we learned everything that a regular trainee would learn,“ said PCHS senior Elizabeth Benford. “It helps students interact with a real life job, but it also helps us with having responsibilities along with other school work.”

Russellville High School is also now home to its very own branch of CB&S Bank. The Golden Tiger Branch offers services to students, with only a few limits. Like at PCHS, it allows students to work as tellers – during third block – and students alternate throughout the week. Third block serves as the lunch block for all RHS students, which is the perfect time for them to stop by the bank and make a quick withdrawal or deposit.

The students who get to work behind the counter are either in business finance or are teachers aides. The students are also required to be in or have taken two business classes. A CB&S employee is also present to oversee all transactions.

“It’s really good training for us and for students who have never used a bank before,” said Charlie Gordon, a junior at RHS and one of the students who works at the Golden Tiger Branch.

The Golden Tiger Branch allows students to withdraw up to $25 dollars from their accounts and cash checks up to $25 dollars. The bank also provides change for lunch money, fees, snack money and other fees that the student needs to pay for.

“I love the idea. I think it’s a great opportunity for kids to work in the real world for at least a piece of their day,” said Dr. Tim Guinn, RHS principal. “They might even have a job opportunity in the near future or after graduation. It’s also a really great opportunity for students to practice their managing skills, as well as open an account with a bank.”

Superintendent Heath Grimes agreed. “I think it’s great. Financial literacy is something we want to push at Russellville, for those who are working at the bank and those who are participating by getting a checking account and managing it,” he said.

Promoting financial literacy is one aim of CB&S.

“We recognize that, now more than ever, financial literacy, as well as fiscal management and responsibility, are key building blocks to success, not just for students, but for all of us,” said Dennis Upchurch, CB&S Bank president and CEO. “Through our investment in financial education, we hope to lay the groundwork that will allow our student bankers, their classmates, and the broader community, to benefit.”

The banks are not open to the public. Similar to the Golden Tiger Branch, the Bobcat Branch is accessible to students on campus for two class periods each day. At Phil Campbell, student workers will spend one hour a day in the Bobcat Branch. While they won’t receive payment for their time working, they will receive a class credit.

Benford said she’s receiving so much more. “This experience will help me stand out from other students who might have not had this opportunity. I also think it will help PCHS stand out from other schools.“

FCT News Clerk Macy Reeves contributed to this story.