About U.S. Bank
LOS ANGELES, CA, April 25, 2014 – Union Bank, N.A., in partnership with the Los Angeles Unified School District Board of Education, has opened its first Los Angeles student-run branches at Lincoln High School located at 3501 North Broadway and Crenshaw High School located at 5010 11th Ave. The branches are part of an innovative program designed to provide students with real-world financial education and work experience. Located on the schools’ campuses, the full-service student-run branches are each staffed by student bankers who have an opportunity to acquire skills in finance as well as teamwork and leadership and the hands-on experience of working in a bank. Traditional banking products and services are available to students, school staff, school administrators and teachers, and Union Bank has plans to establish a Parents Academy that will offer financial education, in English and Spanish, for parents and guardians of the students at both schools.
“We are thrilled to open the first LAUSD student-run bank in Lincoln High School and offer services that help students learn money management skills that prepare them for college and real-life experience,” said District 2 Board Member Mónica García. “I am grateful to have partners like Union Bank."
“This is an exciting way to help our high school students learn critical financial management
skills,” said District 1 Board Liaison Dr. Sylvia Rousseau. “We are happy to partner with Union Bank to celebrate the grand opening of these student-run branches in Los Angeles. The real-world life experience will be a benefit to the student bankers long after high school, and we are pleased to be involved in a collaboration of this type, which will also help to enrich our communities.”
In addition to building skills in finance, leadership, management and marketing, the students receive a $500 stipend for working in the branch and a $1,000 scholarship for college when the course is completed.
Union Bank Branch Manager Flory Martinez manages the Lincoln branch. Estrada has more than 10 years of banking experience. She joined Union Bank in 2007 and most recently served as branch manager of the Burbank branch. Previously, she was a senior relationship banker at the Highland Park and California Mart branches. Active in the community, Estrada volunteers with Junior Achievement, the American Heart Association and Operation Hope. She earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration from California State University, Northridge. She also holds series 6 and 63 licenses.
Estrada is joined by 12 student bankers and Branch Service Officer Flory Martinez, who joined Union Bank in 2008 and has held various positions, including Branch Service Specialist and relationship banker. Passionate about community outreach, Martinez often volunteers with organizations and schools to teach students about money management
The high school branches are open during the school year – the Lincoln High School branch is open Monday and Wednesday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.