Credit union provides financial literacy resources

Park Side Credit Union is offering free access to Banzai, an online financial literacy program, to 23 local schools.

More than 2,340 students in Kalispell, Whitefish, Columbia Falls and Evergreen will be able to use Banzai’s resources at parksidefinancial.teachbanzai.com/wellness.

Through the Banzai online courses, students try out managing a budget, saving for a goal, and dealing with unexpected financial pitfalls. Teachers are able to monitor and grade student progress remotely.

Other resources, which include articles, calculators, and individual coaching sessions, explain everything from the basics of filing taxes to how health insurance works.

Park Side has worked with Banzai to roll out the program locally since 2018.

In addition to the online format, Park Side is also offering virtual or in-classroom presentations from a Park Side Credit Union expert and class visits to local branch offices.

“We view it as our serious responsibility to provide education to our members and communities by offering financial literacy to people of all ages,” said Josh Kroll, Park Side vice president of marketing. “We make banking fun, and Banzai makes learning fun. This is a great relationship and it benefits everyone.”

Banzai resources are used by over 75,000 teachers across the U.S. They also align with Montana’s state curriculum requirements.

After finishing the Banzai courses, users will know how to track where their money is and what it’s for, recognize financial trade-offs, and plan for a financially sound future.

Teachers interested in using Banzai can visit parksidefinancial.teachbanzai.com or call 888-8-BANZAI.

For more information about Park Side Credit Union visit parksidefcu.com