Gesa teams up with Ridgeline High School to open student-run bank | News [Video]

LIBERTY LAKE, Wash. — Students at Ridgeline High School have a new way to get real-world financial experience during their school day.  

Gesa Credit Union teamed up with the school to open an almost fully-functioning bank inside. 

The goal of the bank is to help students develop financial literacy and healthy money habits.  

“I really wish I would have had something like this in my high school so that I wouldn’t be so clueless trying to figure this out on my own,” Kelli Demarest, technical education teacher, said.  

Students can use the bank to open a checking account and do basic banking like deposit money, transfer funds and withdraw a little cash during lunch.  

“Now they’re getting that direct access at school. They can start early, get that practice in a safe space,” Demarest said.  

The bank is also run by student interns who help their peers understand how to use the bank.  

Students …