Credit Union Offers Reality Fair for Students
August 22, 2014
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St. Louis, MOA short time before the start of Fall semester,� the Treasurers Office of the City of St. Louis, the Missouri Credit Union Charitable Foundation, and 1st Financial Federal Credit Union presented a Reality Fair, Financial Literacy Seminar, and opened special free checking accounts at�Innovative Concept Academys Summer Workshop.
St. Louis, MOA short time before the start of Fall semester,� the Treasurers Office of the City of St. Louis, the Missouri Credit Union Charitable Foundation, and 1st Financial Federal Credit Union presented a Reality Fair, Financial Literacy Seminar, and opened special free checking accounts at�Innovative Concept Academys Summer Workshop.�
The Innovative Concept Academy (ICA) is a one-of-a kind school located in St. Louis, Missouri.� Started by St. Louis Circuit Court Judge Jimmie Edwards in the fall of 2009, ICA is the only school in America overseen by�a�court system dedicated to the education and rehabilitation of delinquent teens.� With a full curriculum, students at ICA are given their first real chance at changing course and building a productive, meaningful life.
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1st Financial was excited to present the reality fair as part of ICAs summer workshop series.� A reality fair is meant to simulate the financial decisions students will have to face in their daily lives.� Each student received a packet that included a randomly-assigned job title, annual salary, debt, marriage status, number of children and other information.� The students goal was to complete their major life purchase checklist and have at least a $100 in savings at the end of the exercise.�
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1st Financial employees partnered with The City of St. Louis Treasurer Tishaura Jones, her office, the Missouri Credit Union Charitable Foundation, and the Innovative Concept Academy to hold this reality fair.
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"I have seen the Reality Fair from afar at the annual advocacy meeting in Jeff city but to have the opportunity to participate in it was fantastic," said Carol Minges, CEO of 1st Financial Federal Credit Union.� "I loved seeing the kids work through an actual scenario of what it would cost to have a spouse and family to support.� It was fun listening to their logic about whether or not they actually needed a cell phone or what kind of TV they could afford."�
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She continued, saying, "I also enjoyed watching the 1st Financial team in action.� They all are so passionate about helping educate young adults and I could hear that enthusiasm in every conversation.� I know that the seeds we are planting today will bear fruit in the financial future of the kids in the communities we serve.�"
About 1st Financial Federal Credit Union
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Like all credit unions, 1st Financial is a member-owned, financial cooperative. 1st Financial Federal Credit Union was chartered on September 3, 1968 as District 837 Credit Union by the International Association of Machinist members employed by McDonnell Douglas. Today, with over 30,000 members and nearly $200 million in assets, 1st Financial is a St. Louis metro area financial institution dedicated to helping members achieve their financial dreams. For over 45 years 1st Financial has provided members with a full line of dependable financial products and services which returns profits to the members in the form of lower rates on loans and higher savings yields. The cooperative nature of credit unions enables 1st Financial to provide products and services at very reasonable rates.
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1st Financial Federal Credit Union serves those who live, work, worship, attend school, or regularly conduct business in St. Louis City, St. Louis County, and St. Charles County, Missouri and a wide array of companies throughout the St. Louis metropolitan area. 1st Financial is a member-owned, not-for-profit financial organization committed to providing quality services to the membership while demonstrating safe and sound business practices. Deposits are federally insured by the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA), an agency of the U.S. Government.
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Not a credit union member?�If you live, work, worship, attend school, or regularly conduct business in St. Louis City, St. Louis County, and St. Charles County, Missouri, you can open an account today with 1st Financial Federal Credit Union. Visit�www.TheBetterWayToBank.org�for more information.
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Pictured are Carol Minges, CEO of 1st Financial Federal Credit Union, Leonard Johnson of the Treasurers Office of the City of St. Louis, Tishaura Jones, St. Louis City Treasurer, Lisa Gates of the Treasurers Office of the City of St. Louis, and Tracy Verner, Brand Ambassador of 1st Financial Federal Credit Union