The Bucks County Youth Council recognized local businesses at its annual breakfast for their youth activities and partnerships in Bucks County.

TruMark Financial Credit Union was one of eight nominees recognized for promoting financial literacy in local high schools and maintaining a student branch at William Tennent High School.

The credit union maintains a student branch at William Tennent that encourages young people to begin financial relationships and educates them on the value of saving money.

Student tellers operate the in-school branch under the supervision of a TruMark Financial employee and receive hands-on experience in a financial setting. Students can deposit money, cash a check, make a withdrawal, and even set up direct deposit to their credit union account. This is a rare opportunity few high school students ever get to experience. 

The student branch is an opportunity to expand the credit union’s financial education efforts within the school.

Often viewed as a “financial laboratory,” the student branch provides limitless learning opportunities. Student tellers go through an application, interview, and training process before being offered employment at the student branch.

Prior to working at the student branch, students attend 40 hours of teller training during the summer and work in a TruMark Financial branch. Some of the topics students learn include how to balance a cash drawer, the importance of confidentiality, the art of good customer service, and security measures.

TruMark Financial employees conducted 120 presentations reaching 3,031 students at 14 local high schools through its financial literacy program in 2011. Credit union employees educated students on topics such as establishing a savings account, budgeting, the potential of credit card debt, investing, identity theft, and job interviewing techniques.

Founded in 1939, TruMark Financial is headquartered in Trevose, Pa., and has approximately $1.4 billion in assets through its 14 branches, Call Center, and a suite of innovative online services.