First Metro Bank adds financial literacy coordinator

First Metro Bank has announced the creation of a new position solely focused on the development, growth and success of the community bank’s financial literacy program.

Jerra Burden will serve as financial literacy coordinator. In this new role, Burden will focus on the bank’s six student-operated branches in local high schools across north Alabama, the bank’s involvement in the American Bankers Association’s Teach Children to Save program and other relative educational topics, such as elder financial abuse prevention, that will promote financial awareness in the surrounding communities.

“First Metro Bank’s culture is, and always has been, community-focused,” said Burden. “I look forward to being part of the bank’s financial literacy initiatives and educating our communities on hot topics in the banking industry.”

Burden has nearly 10 years of banking, marketing and training experience at First Metro Bank. She was significantly involved in the development and implementation of the financial institution’s nationally recognized school banks at Muscle Shoals, Florence, Athens, Colbert Heights, Colbert County and Cherokee high schools.

Additionally, she previously served as the bank’s education and training director, where she coordinated the Teach Children to Save program with 43 elementary classrooms across Colbert, Lauderdale, Franklin and Limestone counties.

“The promotion of financial literacy has always been an important initiative for First Metro Bank,” said Rodney Howard, president and chief executive officer.  “As we continue to grow as a financial institution, it is vital that our focus on this topic expands as well.

“Our financial literacy program has raised the bar and set a new standard in the communities we serve, but we refuse to stop there,” Howard said. “I believe with Jerra focused on these initiatives, there is no limit to what we can accomplish or the individuals we can reach when it comes to sharing financial literacy throughout our state and across the nation.”

With new goals in mind, First Metro Bank is focused on sharing a passion for financial literacy with all generations of people seeking additional financial resources. Empowering the population with these tools is a major component to building a strong, successful community.