By: Marketing

Marketing @ 3:39 pm

Congratulations to Great Oaks Academy–their amazing come-from-behind performance won a Radio Disney assembly from Michigan First Credit Union!

Great Oaks beat 23 other elementary and middle schools containing in-house Michigan First branches, opening the most student accounts between November 2 and December 12. But things didn’t start out easy. Their student branch, new this year, opened on the final day of the contest! But the Great Oaks staff was determined to make the impossible possible. They promoted the contest weeks before the grand opening, and let the students know everything they needed to open their own bank account on December 12. By day’s end, Great Oaks had opened a whopping 56 accounts, taking over first place and winning the Radio Disney assembly!

Yet even with Great Oaks’ victory, every school was a winner; their students are using our in-school branches to learn good savings habits, how to perform bank transactions, and other tips. So join us in giving a hand to all our participating schools and students for a job well done!

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By: Marketing

Marketing @ 12:08 pm

Michigan First Credit Union awarded $1,000 scholarships to 82 graduating high school seniors during its annual student scholarship reception on June 24.  The scholarship program honors college-bound high school seniors who are members of Michigan First and attending one of the participating high schools within our 44 served communities.

In the past seven years, we’ve been proud to have awarded over $400,000 in scholarships!

For more information on how to enroll your kids in our MichiganFirst@School, MoneyKids or MoneyTeens programs or to get a head start on financial education with your little ones, check out www.MichiganFirstKids.com

Scholarship recipient Anum Chandhry is featured in the photo above (center), along with Nadine Tibbs-Stallworth, Board Member (left) and Michael Poulos, President and CEO of Michigan First (right).

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By: Tonja

Tonja @ 9:10 am

On Saturday, June 27, from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. Michigan First Credit Union and AM 910 Radio Disney< are teaming up to bring to the Southfield/Lathrup Village area ‘Party in the Park,’ the summertime event destination for Southeast Michigan families.  The FREE party, held at Southfield-Lathrup High School will feature a Radio Disney stage show with music and prizes, rides and slides for kids of all ages to enjoy, a drawing for four tickets to a Jonas Brothers concert and a Nintendo® Wii giveaway.*

The first 500 people age 14 and under who are Michigan First MoneyKids® or MoneyTeens® members at the party will also get a free t-shirt.  To register for the event and be automatically entered in the Nintendo® Wii giveaway, or for more information, go to www.MichiganFirstKids.com or call 800-664-3828. To sign up for the MoneyKids® or MoneyTeens® programs to take advantage of the t-shirt giveaway at the party, go to www.MichiganFirst.com.   

Hope to see you there!

*Advance registration is required to be eligible for the Nintendo® Wii giveaway drawing. Winners must be present to receive all prizes and some restrictions apply. Visit www.MichiganFirstKids.com for additional details.

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By: Lena

Lena @ 11:56 am

Michigan First Continues to Promote Financial Literacy with Opening of Four New Student Branches in Metro Detroit
Leading credit Union continuing its commitment to the youth and the community

Michigan First Credit Union (www.michiganfirst.com) is proud to announce the grand opening of its newest student branches in Glenn Schoenhals Elementary School in Southfield, Michigan and a second branch at University Preparatory Academy-Murray Campus in Detroit.The two branches are the first of four branches scheduled to open through Michigan First’s school
branch program, MichiganFirst@School, by early November, adding to the roster of 13 existing student branches.

Other school branches scheduled to open include Eisenhower Elementary in Southfield on Monday,Nov. 3 and in South Lake High School in St. Clair Shores, Mich. on Thursday, Nov. 6. “At Michigan First we believe that we have a responsibility to help the community in the battle against financial illiteracy that impacts people of all ages,” said Michael Poulos, president and CEO of Michigan First Credit Union. “Helping children learn about personal finances at a young age is the key to
developing financially responsible adults.”

Through MichiganFirst@School, students at the elementary or middle school level are able to run the branches through various positions including branch managers, assistant managers, tellers, computer operations, bookkeepers and greeters. Those working in the credit unions wear Michigan First logo shirts provided by the credit union. Michigan First staff is on-hand to monitor transactions. Students are allowed to only make deposits in savings accounts in an effort to encourage saving money.
At the high school level, students become actual employees of Michigan First and are paid hourly for their work in the credit union. The high school branches are open to students, teachers and other staff members. Currently Michigan First has high school branches located within Southfield High School and Southfield Lathrup High School.

At the end of each school year, students who worked in the branches are honored by Michigan First with a pancake breakfast and awards ceremony to recognize the students’ accomplishments and to congratulate them on the money they deposited into their savings accounts during the school year. Schools who opened the most accounts and who deposited the most money receive special recognition. Additionally, Michigan First Credit Union began piloting a program at Southfield University High School
Academy this fall to implement its wealth of financial knowledge directly into the classroom. Through a partnership with The National Endowment for Financial Educations (NEFE), Michigan First will be teaching monthly classes at Southfield University High School Academy to enable students to:

Design a personal saving and investing plan
Create a strategy for handling credit and managing their debt
Use various financial services
Create a personal insurance plan
evelop and stick to a budget

This community-based outreach is also being addressed within the state government: A bill was recently passed by the Michigan House and Senate—which has now been put before Governor Granholm to review before 2009—which would allow high school students the option to exchange traditional math for a financial literacy class to meet graduation requirements.

Michigan First began establishing the student-run branches in 2001 as part of its ongoing effort to increase financial literacy among children and teens. In addition to student-run branches, Michigan First also advocates financial literacy through its MoneyKids (ages 0-12) and MoneyTeen (ages 13-17) programs that are designed to encourage children and teens to save money and instill financial responsibility that grows with them.

As members of student-run branches, students are automatically enrolled as members to continue banking into adulthood at any Michigan First location. Research has shown that students who have bank accounts early on have significantly greater financial understanding as they reach adulthood, according to a study from the University of Buffalo School of Management on 12th graders’ aptitude and knowledge of personal financial basics.

For a full list of participating schools or to learn more about Michigan First student branches, please visit
www.michiganfirst.com

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By: Lauren

Lauren @ 4:12 pm

July 16, 2008 Lathrup Village, MI. Michigan First Credit Union recently helped seven Southfield elementary and middle schools celebrate their achievements in operating their student branches, with a pancake breakfast and awards ceremony.

The program is held annually at the end of the school year to recognize the students’ accomplishments and to congratulate them on the money they deposited into their savings accounts through the program. It is also a time to recognize the school that opened the most new accounts and had the most deposit dollars.

This year, Stevenson Elementary School won the award for the most new accounts opened as well as the most in deposit dollars, as they recruited 54 new accounts and collected over $16,000 in student deposits. Overall, the seven schools generated over $39,000 in student deposits with an additional $2,500 from the 160 new accounts that were opened.

Prior to the breakfast and awards ceremony, students were challenged to memorize the Mission, Vision and Core Value Statement of the Credit Union. This year’s challenge winner was Jennifer Wardell of Leonhard Elementary, who recited the statement in front of all the attendees. Jennifer was presented with a Beanie Baby and gift card.

After the breakfast, students received a tour of the offices in the Michigan First headquarters.

Students participating in the program hold various positions including Branch Managers, Assistant Managers, Tellers, Computer Operators, Bookkeepers and Greeters. This year, over 140 students applied for these positions. On school banking days, which are supervised by Michigan First employees, students wear Michigan First logo shirts and name badges.

The schools and principals participating in the Credit Union’s student-run branch program include Alder Elementary, Janet Jones, Principal; Birney Middle School, Sterling Russell, Principal; Brace-Lederle K-8 School, Andrea Hamlar, Principal; Laurus Academy, Raul Calderon, Principal; Leonhard Elementary, Vicki Perry, Principal; McIntyre Elementary, Greg Kubasiewicz, Principal; and Stevenson Elementary, Dr. B. K. Hentrel, Principal.

Since the Michigan First Student Branch Program began in 2001, it has had great success. Michael Poulos, President/CEO of Michigan First states, “The success of the program is due to building solid educational partnerships and assisting schools in our field of membership with educating young people about the benefits of credit union membership and how to save and manage money.”

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By: Steve

Steve @ 4:20 pm

On February 26, Michigan First celebrated the grand opening of its newest branch in Southfield High School with a ribbon-cutting ceremony in front of the new facility.  The branch is located inside the high school.  It is a fully functional branch that can serve students, staff and parents. Two student tellers work at the branch, are trained by Michigan First staff, and are considered employees of the Credit Union.  This is the second Michigan First branch inside a Southfield Public School High School.  Michigan First has a similar branch in Southfield-Lathrup.

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By: Lena

Lena @ 11:03 am

Michigan First recently opened a student branch in University Preparatory Academy Elementary School. The Detroit school is the newest student branch participating in the Credit Union’s program. The Michigan First student branches allow students to make deposits and open new accounts in their schools. Michigan First, which has been operating student branches since 2000, currently has 11 student branches in elementary and middle schools in the metro area. The Credit Union also has a student-run branch in Southfield-Lathrup High School where students are paid employees of Michigan First.

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By: Steve

Steve @ 11:50 am

A Commitment to Our Community – Scholarships and Participating High Schools

Michigan First Credit Union is pleased to offer one-time, non-renewable $1,000 scholarships to selected graduating high school seniors who are members of Michigan First Credit Union and attending a high school listed below.* The recipients are determined by each high school’s selection committee or designee and are selected on the basis of academic achievement, community involvement, special talents, leadership, or civic and social responsibility. Scholarships awarded will be applied to the student’s first year of college only. Application guidelines must be followed as stated to be considered.

You can get a scholarship application packet from your school counselor.

Once completed, be sure to submit the application to your school counselor, not directly to Michigan First Credit Union.

The high school’s scholarship selection committee or designee will choose one winner from each school. The school must return all application packets, including the selected winner to Michigan First Credit Union by Friday, April 18, 2008.

If you have any questions, please be sure to call Gwen Davis at 248-395-4133.

High Schools Eligible for Michigan First Credit Union Scholarship Program

Adlai Stevenson
Andover High School
Annapolis High School
Athens High School
Barsamian Prep
Berkley High School
Breithaupt Career & Tech Center
Cass Technical High School
Catherine Ferguson
Center Line High School
Central High School
Chadsey High School
Churchill High School
Clarenceville High School
Clawson High School
Cody High School
Communications & Media Arts
Cooley High School
Cousino High School
Crestwood High School
Crockett Technical & Career High School
Crockett Technical High School
Crosman High School
Davis Aerospace Technical
Dearborn High School
Denby High School
Detroit City High School
Detroit High School for the Arts
Detroit Technology High School
Douglas Academy
East Detroit High School
Ecorse Community High School
Edsel Ford High School
Farmington High School
Ferndale High School
Finney High School
Fitzgerald High School
Fordson High School
Franklin High School
Fraser High School
Golightly Career & Tech Center
Grosse Pointe North High School
Grosse Pointe South High School
Hamtramck High School
Harper Woods High School
Harrison High School
Hazel Park High School
Henry Ford High School
Henry Ford Academy-Dearborn
Highland Park Career Academy
Highland Park Community High School
International Academy for Young Women – Detroit
International Academy
Kettering High School
Lahser High School
Lake Shore High School
Lakeview High School
Lamphere High School
Lincoln High School
Madison High School
Martin Luther King
Mumford High School
Murray-Wright High School
Nancy Boykin Academy
North Farmington High School
Northwestern High School
Oak Park High School
Osborn High School
Pershing High School
Randolph Career Tech Center
Redford Union High School
Renaissance High School
River Rouge High School
Robichaud Senior High School
Roseville High School
Royal Oak High School
Seaholm High School
South Lake High School
Southeastern High School
Southfield Christian School
Southfield High School
Southfield Lathrup High School
Southwestern High School
Sterling Heights High School
Thurston High School
Troy High School
University of Detroit Jesuit High School
Warren Mott High School
Warren Woods Tower High School
West Bloomfield High School
Western International High School
Winans Academy
Wylie E. Groves High School

*Schools not listed here are not eligible for scholarships.

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By: Lena

Lena @ 2:42 pm

Crescent Academy started out with a bang on October 5th, 2007 opening 38 new accounts with over $600.00 in deposits. Twelve student employees will maintain the branch which will be located in the Library. The branch will be open every Friday morning.

Michigan First Credit Union and Southfield Public Schools have partnered to provide deposit transactions in the following student-run branches at:

Morris Adler Elementary (19100 Filmore Street, Southfield, MI)

Adler Stevenson Elementary (27777 Lahser Road, Southfield, MI)

Alice Birney Middle School (27225 Evergreen Road, Southfield, MI)

Brace Lederle School (18575 W. 9 Mile, Southfield, MI)

Crescent Academy (17570 West 12 Mile, Southfield, MI)

Laurus Academy (24590 Lahser Road, Southfield, MI)

Leonhard Elementary (20900 Independence, Southfield, MI)

Levey Middle School (25300 W. 9 Mile, Southfield, MI)

MacArthur Academy University (24501 Frederick, Southfield, MI)

McIntyre Elementary (19600 Saratoga, Southfield, MI)

Stevenson Elementary (27777 Lahser Road, Southfield, MI)

Southfield High School (24675 Lahser Road, Southfield, MI)

University Prep (600 Antoinette, Detroit, MI)

Southfield-Lathrup High School (19301 West 12 Mile Rd., Southfield, MI)

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By: Lena

Lena @ 12:37 pm

Michigan First Credit Union recently helped seven Southfield elementary and middle schools celebrate their achievements in operating their student branches, with a pancake breakfast and awards ceremony. The program is held annually at the end of the school year to recognize the students’ accomplishments and to congratulate them on the money they deposited into their savings accounts through the program. It is also a time to recognize the school that opened the most new accounts and had the most deposit dollars.

This year, Stevenson Elementary School won the award for the most new accounts opened as well as the most in deposit dollars, as they recruited 54 new accounts and collected over $16,000 in student deposits. Overall, the seven schools generated over $39,000 in student deposits with an additional $2,500 from the 160 new accounts that were opened.

Prior to the breakfast and awards ceremony, students were challenged to memorize the Mission, Vision and Core Value Statement of the Credit Union. This year’s challenge winner was Jennifer Wardell of Leonhard Elementary, who recited the statement in front of all the attendees. Jennifer was presented with a Beanie Baby and gift card. After the breakfast, students received a tour of the offices in the Michigan First headquarters.

Students participating in the program hold various positions including Branch Managers, Assistant Managers, Tellers, Computer Operators, Bookkeepers and Greeters. This year, over 140 students applied for these positions. On school banking days, which are supervised by Michigan First employees, students wear Michigan First logo shirts and name badges.

The schools and principals participating in the Credit Union’s student-run branch program include Alder Elementary, Janet Jones, Principal; Birney Middle School, Sterling Russell, Principal; Brace-Lederle K-8 School, Andrea Hamlar, Principal; Laurus Academy, Raul Calderon, Principal; Leonhard Elementary, Vicki Perry, Principal; McIntyre Elementary, Greg Kubasiewicz, Principal; and Stevenson Elementary, Dr. B. K. Hentrel, Principal.

Since the Michigan First Student Branch Program began in 2001, it has had great success. Michael Poulos, President/CEO of Michigan First states, “The success of the program is due to building solid educational partnerships and assisting schools in our field of membership with educating young people about the benefits of credit union membership and how to save and manage money.”

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