Credit Union of America (CUA) officially opened its Buffalo Branch  appropriately named after the school’s mascot  inside Southeast on Oct. 27. The student-operated branch is located off the school’s main hallway and will offer limited services on Tuesdays and Thursdays during the lunch hour to students and USD 259 staff only. An ATM

Lori Smith (center), Credit Union of America, trains seniors Marissa Saunders (left) and Shaundrae Franklin (right) at the credit union’s newly opened Buffalo Branch inside  Southeast. The limited-service branch will be operated by business students under the supervision of a credit union employee. (Photo by Susan Arensman)

outside the Buffalo Branch door can be used by anyone when the building is open.

The students who currently staff the Buffalo Branch, seniors Shaundrae Franklin and Marissa Saunders, received training and work experience at other CUA locations this summer. They will continue to receive on-the-job training as they operate the campus branch under the supervision of a credit union employee.

The Buffalo Branch is the first of its kind in a Wichita high school and is the result of a joint effort between CUA, Southeast High and USD 259 Secondary Career & Technical Education.

In addition to providing onsite work experience for business students, the branch also provides an opportunity for Southeast students to learn fiscal literacy and financial responsibility. Students can gain real-world experience by opening a checking or savings account, making
deposits and withdrawals, or taking advantage of other CUA products specifically geared toward students.

“CUA is committed to the financial education of high school students,” said Alice Duwe, business and computer technology coordinator for Wichita high schools. The CUA website offers online financial education tutorials and a Speaker’s Bureau that teachers can access at no cost to help
students become more financial literate. Several topics are offered, such as “Responsible Use of Credit,”  and “Checking Account Maintenance.”

Students who are interested in learning more about the financial industry can enroll in the Banking and Finance career pathway at Southeast, which includes Principles of Banking 1 and 2, Banking Management 1 and 2, and Business Technology.