FirstBank is sending a message to students across the Virgin Islands, through the FirstBank Students First Program: Become a Super Saver and you will be rewarded!
Launched in December 2003, Students First is an educational and practical saving program that FirstBank initiated to share principles and concepts of saving and basic banking with all Virgin Islands students. To date, more than 1,000 students have opened accounts and are reaping the benefits of saving.
With the Students First program, FirstBank staff visit schools and conduct classroom presentations, after which students have the opportunity to open their own savings account with a minimum deposit of $5. Once enrolled in the program, kids gain automatic membership in the Students First Kids Club.
Membership entitles the students to a membership card, special offers at participating Virgin Islands businesses, invitations to special activities (movie days, bowling, putt-putt golf, Easter egg hunt) and kids will receive bi-annual newsletters. Savings results are measured at the end of each year to decide which student saved the most on St. Thomas, St. John and St. Croix.
On October 11, FirstBank took the opportunity to congratulate the St. John “Super Saver” Elrod Hendricks for his hard work and commitment to saving. For “saving the most,” Elrod received a certificate of achievement and a $50 savings bond from FirstBank.
“Excited About Saving”
“To start the program this school year, we wanted to give each year’s super savers the opportunity to receive public recognition for their achievement,” said Alicia Bean, VP Marketing and Public Relations. “When we see the students become excited about saving, we know they are learning a valuable life skill that can secure a limitless future.”
Presenting the students with their certificates was Seemore the Sea Turtle, the official Kids Club mascot. Seemore is a familiar face to the students, as he is often present at Kids Club events and a variety of cultural, and island events.
Seemore’s motto is “Saving is Fun!”
Initiated in the territory’s public schools, FirstBank will be expanding the Students First program to the public junior high and high schools during the 2006-2007 school year. The program will be presented to all public schools in the USVI as scheduling allows and subsequently to private and parochial schools.
