High Schools Bank On Financial Education For Coventry and West Warwick Youth

Coventry and West Warwick, RI (January 30, 2017) – BankNewport is pleased to announce its partnership with Coventry High School and West Warwick High School to sponsor a youth financial literacy program during the current academic school year. The program was developed to complement the personal financial education initiative for students currently in place at both high schools.

Monthly classroom presentations are conducted by BankNewport's management team on the topics of careers, savings and checking accounts, debit cards, electronic banking, financial planning, credit and budgeting. Bank representatives provide essential information to help the students increase their understanding of managing their personal finances and the importance of building a secure financial future.

“Having strong financial skills is so important in the larger framework of how to manage one’s everyday life,” stated BankNewport President and CEO, Sandra J. Pattie. “The opportunity for our team to share their expertise with the students both at Coventry High School and at West Warwick High Schools is extremely rewarding. We want them to be knowledgeable and confident in their financial choices, and achieve success as future employees, parents and members of our community.”

During the most recent presentations, Bank representatives reviewed financial planning and saving for the future by investing in individual or employer sponsored retirement programs.

Prior presentations introduced the students to strategies for selecting and developing a successful career, the benefits of establishing savings and checking accounts and a demonstration of online banking and bill payment services.

Upcoming presentations will focus on the types and sources of credit, ways to establish good credit, and what encompasses credit reports and credit scores, in addition to the importance of monthly budgeting.

After completing the curriculum topics, participating students from both high schools will take part in the program’s culminating event, a Financial Education Fair sponsored by BankNewport. The Fair will be a highly interactive simulation, placing students through a realistic budgeting experience where they will interact with local business to make a series of lifestyle spending decisions. The Fair will be held in March 2017 at the Radisson Airport Hotel in Warwick, Rhode Island.

BankNewport also conducts the same financial literacy program with Rogers High School in Newport, the fifth year of the Bank’s partnership with the school.

About BankNewport

Founded in 1819 and headquartered in Newport, BankNewport offers a full suite of loan and deposit products and services for families and businesses throughout Rhode Island. In addition, OceanPoint Insurance Agency, Inc., a subsidiary of BankNewport, offers a broad range of property casualty insurance products and a full array of financial services. With 16 banking offices and $1.4 billion in assets, BankNewport is one of the oldest community banks in the United States and, as a mutual organization, is committed to the financial success of its customers, employees and communities.