TopLine FCU Helping to Teach High School Students about Financial Realities

MAPLE GROVE, MINN.—JUNE 7, 2017—Local member-owned cooperative financial institution TopLine Federal Credit Union has partnered with the North Hennepin Area Chamber of Commerce and other local businesses to create the “Reality Store,” an interactive event for teens. This spring, more than 80 students from Park Center High School and Osseo Senior High School completed the exercise, with representatives from TopLine staffing the banking table.  
 
 Without firsthand knowledge of grocery bills, student loan repayments, daycare fees, and mortgages, it can be hard for high school students to get a clear picture of adult financial life.  The Reality Store helps students absorb information that can often seem abstract.  The exercise asks high school students to make choices when faced with various personal, educational, and professional paths — then demonstrates the financial consequences of the decisions.  The engaging event is designed to let teens roleplay their way through different 
scenarios.  They begin their journey armed with an envelope full of currency—and soon find many reasons for emptying it.

 “At TopLine, we are deeply committed to the financial health of our community, and nurturing financial literacy in our youth is key,” says Vicki Roscoe Erickson, Vice President of Marketing and Communications at TopLine Federal Credit Union.  “Working with high school students is a great way for us to give encouragement at a stage where it can really make a difference.  By exposing students to financial realities adults face, we can make concepts like budgeting and managing finances more comprehendible.  We hope students will see the value in making proactive financial decisions — especially when they’re learning directly from our financial experts.” 
 
The North Hennepin Area Chamber of Commerce leads, advocates and partners with more than 350 members of local business, civic and education communities to build a stronger and more vibrant future. As the leading resource for its members, the Chamber provides programs and services to maximize their potential, while utilizing their local relevance as a driving force to build stronger communities. 
 
 TopLine Federal Credit Union, a Twin Cities-based credit union, is Minnesota’s 13th largest, with assets of more than $400 million. Established in 1935, the not-for-profit cooperative offers a complete line of financial services, as well as auto and home insurance, from its five branch locations — in Bloomington, Brooklyn Park, Maple Grove, Plymouth and in St. Paul’s Como Park — as well as by phone, mobile app and online at www.TopLinecu.com. Membership is available to anyone who lives, works, worships, attends school or volunteers in Anoka, Carver, Dakota, Hennepin, Ramsey, Scott or Washington Counties and their immediate 
family members.