Farmers Bank provides learning resources to area schools

Published 6:12 pm Sunday, June 13, 2021

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Farmers Bank stepped up to make partial or full remote learning in the wake of COVID-19 easier. 

A press release stated that thanks to Farmers Bank’s sponsorship, more than 1,380 students and teachers at 16 schools in Virginia will have free access to Banzai, an award-winning online financial literacy program and content library of articles, calculators and personalizable coaches. All of these resources are available to students at home or in the classroom via any device that can access the internet.

The schools in Virginia receiving this free access to Banzai include Franklin High School, Joseph P. King Jr. Middle School, S.P. Morton Elementary School, Capron Elementary School, Southampton Academy, Windsor High School, Windsor Elementary School, King’s Fork Middle School, Elephant’s Fork Elementary School, Churchland Middle School, Churchland Primary & Intermediate School, Indian River Middle School, Lake Taylor Middle School, Booker T. Washington High School, Parkway Elementary School and Seatack Elementary School.

“Banzai is a web-based financial literacy program,” Banzai Co-Founder Morgan Vandagriff said in the release. “Kids get their own accounts, and they work through assignments that are based on real life. But because Farmers Bank is sponsoring it, local schools get it for free. More than ever, it’s important that kids develop sound financial skills to prepare them for the real world, and Farmers Bank realizes that, and they’re doing something about it.” 

Banzai content builds a foundation of practical knowledge and gives students the tools to create a sound financial future, the release continued. While students learn, teachers can easily monitor and grade their progress remotely. After finishing Banzai, students will know how to track where their money is and what it’s for, recognize financial trade-offs, build a budget and more. At a time when many are facing unprecedented financial challenges, these lessons are invaluable. The Banzai resources are available at farmersbankva.teachbanzai.com. 

Since 2019, Farmers Bank has worked with Banzai to build financial literacy in the community by investing time, money, industry experience and a variety of bank resources. Beyond the Banzai library, Farmers Bank also offers virtual or in-classroom presentations from local experts on timely topics. 

Banzai resources are used by more than 75,000 teachers across the U.S. The courses align with Virginia’s state curriculum requirements, making the program a fun way for students to gain vital financial literacy skills. 

Teachers interested in using the Banzai program with their class can visit farmersbankva.teachbanzai.com or call 888-8-BANZAI. For more information about Banzai, visit teachbanzai.com, and for more information about Farmers Bank, visit farmersbankva.com.