Credit Union Teaches Students Financial Life Lessons

From Pottstown School District Director of Community Relations John J. Armato:

-- the 18th largest credit union in Pennsylvania, which is headquartered in Pottstown with additional offices in Reading -- partnered with Pottstown High School to integrate their knowledge and professional experiences into the school’s personal finance curriculum.

Through the Diamond in the Classroom program, representatives from Diamond -- which serves Berks County and the Tri‐County Region and holds over $372 million in assets with over 40,000 members -- visits the high school four times each semester.

Recently, Lori Levengood - Diamond's vice president of lending and Paul Schwab - a debt counseling manager for the company, answered questions about the value of a good credit score and the repercussions of not repaying debts.

Todd Rothenberger, vice president of marketing at Diamond Credit Union, said it's important for students to know how to balance their personal finances.

In previous visits to the class, Diamond representatives discussed budgeting, how a financial institution works and the difference between banks and credit unions.

Diamond is scheduled to visit the class in January to discuss protection from identity theft.