Norway Savings Bank makes financial literacy program free for Maine middle school students

Norway, ME – Norway Savings Bank is working with Banzai, an on-line financial literacy training program, to bring their curriculum to four Maine middle schools at no cost to the students or the schools.

Banzai allows teachers to provide students with an interactive way of learning. Using online tools and printed workbooks, students are exposed to real-life scenarios where they learn to balance a budget, pay bills and more. Billie Brito, a teacher from Lewiston Middle School, appreciates the dynamics of this program. “This is a fantastic program! Thank you! My students are engaged while working through a challenging process. Banzai is the missing piece in my curriculum” states Brito.

Banzai has been well received not only by teachers but the students too. Student feedback, since launching the program in October, is very positive. Quotes from the students regarding what they have learned include:

• “I learned that money isn’t easy to save. Things come and go unexpectedly and it ALWAYS pays to be prepared.”
• “Banzai taught me that it is important to have money saved for emergencies.”
• “I learned about how you have to really watch how and where you spend your money. I knew before but this gave me a better realization.”

It is important to teach children financial literacy at a young age, to prepare them for successful money management in their adult life. These students are already learning lessons that will prepare them for their future; Norway Savings Bank considers that to be a success.

About Norway Savings Bank
Founded in 1866, Norway Savings Bank is a leading mutual banking and financial services company headquartered in Norway, Maine. As of October 31, 2016, Norway Savings Bank had $1.095 billion in total assets and provides financial services to over 38,000 households throughout western and southern Maine. Norway Savings Bank has 24 branch locations and operates divisions in asset management, personal banking and business banking. In 2016, Norway Savings Bank was honored as one of the Best Banks to Work For by American Banker and Best Companies Group as well as one of the Best Places to Work in Maine. In 2013, Norway Savings Bank received the Governor’s Award for Business Excellence and has been recognized as one of the healthiest companies in America by the Wellness Council of America (WELCOA) as a two-time Gold-Level Well Workplace award recipient.  BauerFinancial has designated 5-Star Norway Savings Bank the “Best of Bauer” for earning and maintaining its highest 5-star rating for 25 continuous years or longer.  For more information, visit www.norwaysavingsbank.com.

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