By placing credit union in Dundalk High School’s cafeteria, innovative program gives students an academic advantage

FFFCU staff work with students to handle customer requests and financial business.

There’s just something a little different about doing business at the new Owl branch of First Financial Federal Credit Union.

It might be the advertised offer for opening a new account at the credit union – free tickets to the Dundalk High School homecoming dance. Or it might be the fact that a few steps away, around a glass partition, students at Dundalk High are queuing up for midday lunch in the school’s cafeteria.  

The Owl branch is different all right – it is the first full branch of a credit union to open in a Baltimore area high school, staffed by students and designed to serve the financial needs of the school’s staff and student body.

Cutting the ribbon to the innovative FFFCU branch at Dundalk High are (left to right) Del. Sonny Minnick, BCPS Area Assistant Superintendent Jean Satterfield, DHS Principal Margaret Johnson, and FFFCU President Rob Windsor.

“First Financial is excited about this project,” says FFFCU President Rob Windsor. “We hope this idea will grow and that Dundalk High School is just the first step for us.”

At the October 11th grand opening of the Owl branch, named after the school’s mascot, Windsor led a group of business and education leaders and elected officials in celebrating an initiative he created with BCPS Superintendent Dr. Joe A. Hairston. Placing the credit union branch inside the school not only serves customers at the school, but also provides real-life experience for students in the school’s business and marketing classes.

Staffed by five business completer students during the school’s four lunch periods every other day, the branch is a working credit union by any yardstick. Customers discuss their financial needs and options with student representatives, all of whom are members of the DECA international marketing association for students and have earned professional certification in customer service from the National Retail Federation. Posters and displays advertise FFFCU products and services, and computers give tellers immediate access to the information they need to assist customers. Services at the student-run branch include account opening, deposits, limited cash withdrawals, and information about other FFFCU services. Final processing of transactions takes place at a nearby full service branch of the credit union.   

Displays inside the credit union’s Owl branch advertise incentives designed for students.

“It’s a great class and a great learning experience,” says Alyssa S., president of the school’s DECA chapter and an associate at the branch. “Through this project, I’ve learned so much about the challenges and opportunities that will face us once we graduate.”

Adds student Amanda S., an Owl branch staffer and president of the school’s Student Government Association, “We’ll continue to learn and grow with this knowledge long after this experience is over.”

During the grand opening and ribbon-cutting last month, several staff members stopped by the branch to transact a little lunchtime business. Observers such as Jean Satterfield, BCPS area assistant superintendent for the Southeast Area, were impressed by what they saw. “This is a great empowering opportunity,” she said. “It brings real-life experiences to the educational process.”  

The Dundalk High branch features many credit union services, including attractive and informative customer areas.

Enthusiasm and interest in the branch and its operations has been high since it opened its doors to Dundalk students and staff on October 4, according to adviser Jason Bellamy, the school’s business education department chairperson.

“The goal is to provide students with the financial literacy skills needed to be successful in life,” Bellamy said. “Our students are being provided an opportunity that not many other high school aged students receive.”   

Story and photos by Charles Herndon, communications specialist for BCPS.