Independent Banker - December 2023 - 65

Next: A look into ICBA's recent rebrand 
her students, serving as the " Wildcat
Branch president. "
" We began a small remodel to
convert a conference room into a
school branch, complete with two
teller windows and vault space, "
explains Furrer. " Mrs. Blanchard
helped us by marketing the class to
students who could become potential
tellers, who then completed an
application and interview. "
Once selected, the students
attended a training session during
the summer to learn how to be
student tellers. Training consisted
of learning banking basics, how to
conduct transactions, the history of
Citizens Bank & Trust and the basics
of customer service.
Students' responsibilities
Student tellers do not have access to
the bank's core system, but they can
conduct routine banking transactions
like cashing checks, processing
deposits and exchanging currency for
students and faculty.
" The students and faculty
appreciate the convenience of the
bank and enjoy getting to interact
with our student tellers, " says Furrer.
The branch is open during lunch
period so that students who need to
visit the bank don't miss class.
The student tellers also engage
in two bank events held during the
year: the Citizens Charity Classic
and Citizens Business Summit. The
Charity Classic is a golf tournament
held annually to raise money for the
local Fellowship of Christian Athletes
at which the students serve more
than 200 golfers. During the Business
Summit, the students greet the
attending 250 local business leaders.
" During both events, the
students are encouraged to speak
to and network with leaders in our
community, " says Furrer. " They
are able to build their confidence in
speaking to leaders and are expected
to dress and carry themselves in a
professional manner during the event. "
Helping their youngest customers
In 2022, Citizens Bank & Trust
opened its second school branch
location at nearby Albertville High
School. The community bank
duplicated the concept for the new
" Aggie Branch. "
The bank's Guntersville and
Albertville branches have daily
responsibilities for each high school,
requiring a team effort from all sides.
In addition to the two high school
branches, the bank runs a savings
program at two local elementary
schools. When schedules allow, the
high school tellers join a bank staff
member at the elementary school
once a week to help those students
make savings deposits.
" We love getting to see the look
of excitement on a child's face when
they bring their birthday money to
deposit, " Furrer says. " Our goal is to
show the students the importance of
saving their money and establishing
a relationship with a local bank. "
Most people do not wake up one
day and decide to be a banker, notes
Furrer. The community bank hopes
that by engaging with local schools,
it will not only promote financial
literacy but also build relationships
with younger generations who
will be both future customers
and employees.
In fact, over the years, several of
the high school tellers have become
part-time employees at the bank-
some even working while going
to college or during summer and
winter breaks.
" As community bankers, we have
the opportunity, or perhaps even
obligation, to find unique ways to
serve our communities, " says Furrer.
" We believe that our school branch
programs are making a difference in
the lives of our students and schools.
We enjoy showing that banking can
be cool and even enjoyable. " 
William Atkinson is a writer in Illinois.
" As community bankers, we
have the opportunity, or perhaps
even obligation, to find unique
ways to serve our communities. "
ANNIE FURRER, CITIZENS BANK & TRUST
independentbanker.org // 65
http://www.independentbanker.org
Independent Banker - December 2023

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