RESERVE – The Louisiana Federal Credit Union re-opened its Wildcat Branch for its fifth year at East St. John High School. Both students and faculty members were very excited for the branch to open.

“It’s so convenient to have the Credit Union on campus,” said Megan Vicknair. “I didn’t have any money for lunch today, so I’m grateful that I have access to my accounts here at school.”

Student tellers handle student transactions under the supervision of Yolanda Jones, a teller from the Louisiana FCU’s main branch on Belle Terre Boulevard. Jones

handles all staff transactions herself.

Carol Breaux, math teacher at ESJHS, prefers using the Wildcat Branch over the main branch. “I’ve been holding this deposit for two weeks. I love dealing with my banking here on campus. It’s much easier, and I can handle all my business during my lunch period.”

The Wildcat Branch is open three days a week—Monday, Wednesday, and Friday—during all three lunch shifts. Student workers man one of the windows for student transactions while Jones performs transactions for staff members and students.

Seniors interested in becoming tellers were interviewed; six tellers were selected and trained by Jones. The students are scheduled for a course called “Banking and Finance.” Upon successful completion of the course and earning a minimum of 20 hours of banking intern time in the Wildcat Branch of the Louisiana FCU, the six students will receive Industry-Based Certification and receive a Banking and Finance Diploma Endorsement on their high school transcript.

“As a result of his participation last year, one of our students was hired to work at the Belle Terre Branch of the Credit Union as a teller. He is in college now but will continue to work at the branch during school holidays,” stated Billie Duncan, ESJHS business teacher and program coordinator.

One of the goals of having the Louisiana FCU on ESJHS’s campus was to involve students in their finances while still in high school. “We want to teach students how to use a financial institution. Our ultimate objective is to educate them in financial responsibility, and literacy,” said Sandi Lambert, Louisiana FCU’s business development representative.

Lambert said that some of their big endeavors for the Wildcat Branch this year not only include their annual Finance Fest (on Oct. 13 at ESJHS) but also savings challenges for students and Member Appreciation Day.