Banks in schools...thoughts?

[galliver]

Friend shared this today: http://www.npr.org/2014/06/04/318489887/as-banks-open-in-schools-a-chance-for-students-to-learn-to-save?utm_source=facebook.com&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=npr&utm_term=nprnews&utm_content=20140604

I thought it was an interesting approach to financial literacy in schools, and an interesting way to reach out to a community that (I read) is typically under-served by traditional banking.

But, it really depends on how it's run, as this could turn predatory pretty quickly....

[johnintaiwan]

I interviewed at an international school here which has a bank for students. They would get points in class that were put on a debit card type thing. they could use the points to buy little snacks or prizes. they also had an entire english villiage with a convenience store, reastaurant, bank, doctors office and airport. the students would take turns running or being customers and could use their cards then with real life debit card readers and everything. I think it is a pretty cool idea to teach kids about real life things in this way. it also lets them learn to think about their "spending."

[Jamesqf]

If you've ever read any of Rex Stout's mysteries, the standard author bio notes that he made enough money from implementing a successful school banking system (in the early 1900s) to retire and take up writing.