FNBT employees with CES students

New in-school bank opens in Clinton

January 24, 2023

Clinton, IL, January 24, 2023 – First National Bank and Trust Company along with the Clinton Community School District and Clinton Community Education Foundation are excited to announce the student-run Maroons Branch at Clinton Elementary opened on Wednesday, January 18.

The student bank is designed to introduce the economic concept of saving money at an early age and reinforce this idea throughout the elementary, middle and high school curriculum. In addition, the bank demonstrates saving money should be part of a student’s future financial plan, as well as increases parental involvement in children’s lives through banking activity.

“Excitement is in the air at Clinton Elementary School (CES). Kids were so serious when depositing their money into the inaugural CES Maroons Branch. First National Bank and Trust Company did an amazing job in setting up the processes. Connie was a great lead for us, and everything was well organized and smooth,” said Chris Shaffer, Clinton Community Education Foundation board member. “One young depositor proudly shared she was saving for a house, a Disney trip and a Nintendo switch. Clinton Community Education Foundation is pleased to be a sponsor of this program.”

  

This is the first in-school branch for First National Bank and Trust Company and 51 students participated in saving on the inaugural banking day. All students in 2nd through 5th grade will have an opportunity to bank every Wednesday morning. Twelve fifth graders who serve as 'student bankers' will rotate each week. Both bank employees and education foundation members will volunteer to assist with the student-run branch.

“I enjoyed observing the student bankers, especially in the first few steps of the bank during sign up and registration. They were very helpful and took charge helping the other students get prepared to make their deposit. All of the training and work of Connie Unruh and First National Bank and Trust Company was evident, and we had a very fun morning,” said Terry Husted, Clinton Community Education Foundation board member.

“Saving money is a great skill to learn early in life. The purpose of this bank is to help instill the habit of saving in our young people, as we want to see lifelong savers,” said Connie Unruh, First National Bank and Trust Company financial literacy coordinator.

 

First National Bank and Trust Company is grateful to Clinton Elementary School, Clinton Community Education Foundation (CCEF) and the leadership at Clinton Community School District. Additional special thanks to Clinton Elementary Principal Sacha Young, Superintendent Curt Nettles, Asst. Superintendent Drew Goebel at Clinton Schools and Meghan Morge, volunteer and owner of C&P Printing. The bank would also like to thank the officers of the Clinton Community Education board, Chairman Parker Toohill, Secretary Chris Shaffer, and board member Terry Husted.

This student-branch structure and financial literacy curriculum is made possible by First National Bank and Trust Company's mission to reinvest 10 percent of its pre-tax income back into the community.

The goal of the program is to provide students, K-12, with knowledge to make sound financial decisions. Additionally, the program collaborates with school districts to promote financial literacy.

To learn more or to help partner in financial literacy efforts, visit firstnbtc.com or call First National Bank and Trust Company at 217.935.2148 to speak with Connie Unruh.

About First National Bank & Trust Company: First National Bank & Trust Company is a community bank located in Clinton, Illinois as well as Arcadia, Whitehall and Independence, Wisconsin. Dedicated to community prosperity, the First National Bank and Trust Company was chartered in 1872 under the name DeWitt County National Bank and became part of the TS Banking Group in 2017. With $400 million in assets, First National Bank and Trust Company is dedicated to community reinvestment and gives 10% of its pre-tax income back to the community. For more information, visit firstnbtc.com.