BankNewport is pleased to announce a partnership with Rogers High School in Newport, Rhode Island, to sponsor a youth financial literacy program during the 2012-2013 academic school year.  The program was developed to complement the high school's personal financial education initiative for students.  Monthly classroom presentations are being presented by BankNewport's management team, including President and Chief Executive Officer, Sandra J. Pattie, on topics including:  Careers, Savings, Checking Accounts, Debit Cards, On-Line Banking, On-Line Bill Payment, Electronic Banking, Financial Planning, Credit and Budgeting.  During each classroom presentation, BankNewport representatives will provide basic information on these topics to help the students increase their understanding of the importance of managing their personal finances in order to be prepared for the financial challenges and lifestyle decisions they will face as adults. 

“Having strong financial skills is so important in the larger framework of how to manage one’s everyday life,” stated Sandra Pattie.  “The opportunity for our team to share their expertise with the students at Rogers High School is extremely rewarding.  We want them to be knowledgeable and confident in their financial choices, and achieve success as future employees, parents and members of our community.”

During the most recent presentations, bank representatives reviewed career opportunities and discussed the importance of financial literacy with the students. To date the students have been introduced to strategies for selecting and developing a successful career, the benefits of establishing savings and checking accounts and participated in a demonstration of online banking and bill payment electronic services. The next presentation takes place in February and will focus on the importance of financial planning and saving for the future by investing in individual or employer sponsored retirement programs. 

After completing the financial education curriculum, the students at Rogers High School will participate in a culminating event, a Financial Education Fair sponsored by BankNewport. The Fair is a highly interactive simulation and places students through a realistic budgeting experience, during which they make a series of spending decisions similar to the types made by an actual young adult. The Fair is scheduled in April 2013, at Rogers High School.

BankNewport, founded in 1819 and currently holding $1.1 billion in assets, is an FDIC-insured savings bank and is a subsidiary of the Mutual Holding Company, OceanPoint Financial Partners, MHC.  Along with its financial partner, OceanPoint Insurance Agency, Inc., BankNewport is proud to serve the financial needs of customers from banking and insurance offices located throughout southeastern New England.