First Savings Bank, Clovis, New Mexico, has found an unusual way to get Community Reinvestment Act credit: teaching financial planning to high school students.
E. Dean Turvaville, the bank's CRA officer, visits schools in Eastera New Mexico and West Texas for the bank's "Financial ABCs" program. He speaks to about 1,200 students a year.
The program, in place for six years, has helped the $130 million-asset bank earn two consecutive outstanding CRA ratings, he said.
"Examiners are blown away that we are willing to invest this kind of time in the kids," Mr. Turvaville said. "But these are the depositors of the future."
In his 45-minute presentation, Mr. Turvaville teaches the difference between debit and credit cards, how to open an account, and how to balance a checkbook. The bank also gives the students free calculators.
The program helps the bank reach all parts of its community, including a Hispanic population that makes up 20% of the area, Mr. Turvaville said.
Another benefit for the bank is that it is not only marketing to the students; but to their families. "We're getting our name right into their home," Mr. Turvaville said.
