HHSB sponsoring online financial literacy program

CRAWFORDSVILLE -- Local students will have the opportunity to learn about being financially responsible thanks to a sponsorship by Hoosier Heartland State Bank.

The Crawfordsville-based bank is partnering with Banzai, a national award-winning financial literacy program, to make completely free online curriculum available to schools in Montgomery and Putnam counties.

Banzai is an interactive program supplemented by printed workbooks and aligned with state curriculum requirements for personal finance education. The coursework can be completed on a internet-enabled computer or mobile device, and teachers can monitor student progress remotely.

Students are exposed to real-life scenarios where they learn to pay bills and balance a budget. They must learn to manage unexpected expenses such as parking tickets, interest charges and overdraft fees. The 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 Banzai co-founder Morgan Vandagriff. “More than ever, it’s important that kids develop sound financial skills to prepare them for the real world, and Hoosier Heartland State Bank realizes that and they’re doing something about it.”

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