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NATCHEZ — UMB is bringing financial literacy education to over 8,500 middle school and high school students in Adams, Wilkinson, Jefferson, Franklin and Amite Counties and Concordia Parish, Louisiana.

Because UMB pays for the program, students at 22 schools have free access to Banzai, an award-winning online program and content library that allows users to practice real-world finance from the safety of their classroom or home using any internet-enabled device. At a time when a solid foundation of practical financial knowledge is critical, these resources will make an enormous impact on users. Again, these resources are available to students in the classroom or at home via any device that can access the internet.

“Banzai is a web-based financial literacy program. Students set up their own accounts, and they work through assignments that are based on real life,” said Morgan Vandagriff, co-founder of Banzai. “But because UMB is sponsoring the program, local schools can get it at no cost. More than ever, it is important that kids develop sound financial skills to prepare them for the real world, and UMB realizes that, and they are doing something about it.” 

Banzai content builds a foundation of practical knowledge and gives students the tools to create a sound financial future. While students learn, teachers can easily monitor and grade their progress remotely. After finishing Banzai, students will know how to track where their money is and what it is for, recognize financial trade-offs, build a budget, and more. At a time when people are facing unprecedented financial challenges, these lessons are invaluable. The Banzai resources are available at unitedmsbk.banzai.org. Banzai also has two particularly important courses, Digital Citizenship, where students learn about internet safety and digital wellness, and College and Careers, which teaches about college costs, student aid, and FAFSA and careers that might not require a college path. 

For 7 years, UMB has worked with Banzai to build financial literacy in the communities they serve by investing time, money, industry experience, and a variety of bank resources. Beyond the Banzai library, UMB also offers in-classroom presentations by one of their bankers on timely topics.

Of all UMB sponsorships and donations, we feel this is the most important one for our bank to do,” shares Sarah Carter Smith, Vice President of Marketing. “The life lessons learned by the students who participate are invaluable. The courses are fun, interesting, interactive, and extremely informative, and we hope every teacher will take advantage of this tremendous opportunity.” 

Banzai resources are utilized by more than 100,000 teachers across the U.S. The courses align with Mississippi’s state curriculum requirements, making the program a fun way for students to gain vital financial literacy skills. 

Teachers interested in using the Banzai program with their classes can visit unitedmsbk.banzai.org or call 888-8-BANZAI. If you are interested in classroom participation from a UMB representative, please reach out to UMB CRA Officer, Lisa Whittington at 601-445-7185 or lisa.whittingon@unitedms.bank.

For more information about Banzai visit banzai.org. 

For more information about United Mississippi Bank visit unitedms.bank.