Credit union offers real-world financial experience to Tri-Cities students

PASCO, Wash. – The practicalities of high school curricula have been a point of contention for decades between parents, teachers, administrations, and the students themselves. One program, offered by Gesa Credit Union for 25 years in the Tri-Cities area, looks to abide some of those worries, at least in the sector of personal finances. 

“The school opened, they put this branch in, and I love our branch, and it’s got its own feel,” said Chanda Baie, a finance and marketing teacher at Chiawana. “It’s not just a window. Kids can walk in, so it’s like they’re actually walking into a branch.”

Here’s how it works: those interested in helping run the operation can sign up for a Banking and Financial Services class, which lasts one to three trimesters.

These students, along with a student branch manager, Mrs. Baie, and Gesa, manage the credit union’s operations. This could include opening accounts, making withdrawals or deposits, and more of the usual banking fare.

Ruth Plaza, a student intern, shared her experience: “Ms. Baie introduced me to the idea of becoming the Gesa intern and I thought there was a lot of opportunities with this position– so I took it– and so far it’s been great. I’ve now committed to [Washington State University] and I’m also going to do an internship for Gesa there.”

Plaza continued, “Working with the students, that’s my favorite part. I love working with them. I get to teach them how to do the deposits and withdrawals. I get to do a lot of activities hands-on with them.”

This initiative by Gesa Credit Union and local schools continues to prepare students for future success in the financial industry and beyond. For more information, head to Gesa’s website explaining their high school credit union program, their Affinity debit cards which give back to a school of your choosing, as well as their scholarships.