Iowa banks sponsor EverFi in 115 Iowa high schools

Nearly one year after the Iowa Bankers Association partnered with EverFi, Inc., dozens of Iowa banks have demonstrated a firm commitment to enhancing financial education in their local communities. As of July 1, 45 Iowa banks have committed to sponsor EverFi’s online financial platform in more than 115 Iowa high schools across the state.

The EverFi program is made available at no cost to schools thanks to the financial support of participating IBA member banks and a federal grant from the Iowa College Student Aid Commission. The EverFi program is private-labeled by banks, large and small, and launched into the high schools within their footprint for CRA credit, media visibility, marketing, customer acquisition and other benefits. Banks currently sponsor over 3,500 high schools in all 50 states across the country.

While each of Iowa’s 115 participating schools is in a different stage of adoption, many high schools implemented the program during the 2010-11 school year.

Thanks to the sponsorship of State Bank & Trust Company in Nevada, students at Colo-Nesco Senior High School and Nevada High School had the opportunity to experience the self-paced online learning tool and become certified in more than 600 topics in financial literacy.

State Bank & Trust Co. President and CEO Steve McGill stressed why the bank made the decision to invest in the program.

“A community bank’s success is grounded on the financial strength and knowledge of its customers,” McGill said. “With solid knowledge of financial principles, young adults will be able to make decisions that will affect their futures, contribute to their success, and strengthen our communities. State Bank & Trust Co. joins all community banks in avidly supporting financial education and is proud to sponsor the EverFi program. By sponsoring programs of this nature, SBT feels it is supporting our schools, assisting in the success of young adults and investing in the future of our communities.”

Nevada High School financial literacy teacher Cary Thompson said the EverFi program was “well worth the class time allocated to it.”

“On a personal note, after seeing the overwhelming positive student reaction to the independently paced aspect of the EverFi course, I feel this platform program is just what the students needed to engage them in this life skills course,” Thompson said.

Nevada High School students also found the program to be engaging and educational. Bryce Black was the first student to be EverFi certified at Nevada High School. “I learned a lot about investing in stock, mortgages, leasing, and other various topics. I am a very visual learner so I learned a ton from this program,” Black said.

Iowa banks who are interested in learning more about the program should contact the IBA’s Cashtyn Lovan at (800) 532-1423.