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: Lena

Lena @ 5:52 pm

Michigan First awarded recently students from 83 high schools in the metro Detroit area with one-time, non-renewable $1,000 scholarships. The schools are located within the 44 communities served by the Credit Union. Scholarship recipients were chosen by each high school’s scholarship selection committee or designee, and based on the student’s academic achievements, community involvement, special talents, leadership and civic and social responsibility. Scholarships awarded are applied to the student’s first year of college. During the past six years, Michigan First has awarded more than $300,000 in scholarships.

Pictured is Mr. Michael Poulos (President and CEO of Michigan First) and the scholarship recipients.

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By: Lena

Lena @ 8:52 am

Michigan First Credit Union honored students from 11 elementary and middle schools, celebrating their achievements in successfully running a Michigan First Credit Union student branch within their schools. Students who work in the credit unions were honored with a pancake breakfast and awards ceremony on May 29 at Michigan First’s main branch in Lathrup Village.

Special recognition was granted to the schools that had the most money deposited into savings accounts through the program and the school that opened the most new accounts.

This year, MacArthur K-8 University Academy took home the prize for the most new accounts opened, a total of 110 opened this year alone. MacArthur K-8 University Academy  also received the award for having the most in deposit dollars, collecting more than $22,000.00 in student deposits.

The schools participating in the student-run Michigan First branches include: University Prep in Detroit; and from Southfield, Mich. – Leonhard Elementary, McIntyre Elementary, Brace Ledere School, Stevenson Elementary, Adler Elementary, Birney Middle School, Laurus Academy, MacArthur K-8 University Academy, Levey Middle School and Crescent Academy.

Michigan First established the student-run branches in 2001 as part of its ongoing effort to increase financial literacy among children and teens. Students at the elementary and middle school student-run credit union branch are able to run the branches through various positions including branch managers, assistant managers, tellers, computer operators, bookkeepers and greeters. The students wear Michigan First logo shirts provided by the credit union. Michigan First staff is on-hand to monitor transactions as students make deposits. Students are allowed to only make deposits in savings accounts in an effort to encourage saving money.

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.

Michigan First plans on opening an additional 10 student branches by the end of 2008.

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By: Lena

Lena @ 3:18 pm

The Martin Luther King (MLK) Senior High School Marching Crusaders has officially raised the $380,000 they needed to travel to Beijing, China to play during the 2008 Summer Olympics. In early March, Michigan First and its Board of Directors jumpstarted, a community wide effort to help the school raise money for the trip, by making a $10,000 donation to the band and its director, Victoria Miller. The Credit Union also set up a fund for the band so donations could be made at any Michigan First branch.
In addition to Michigan First’s donation, other large donations were made by Gov. Jennifer Granholm, the UAW, The Skillman Foundation, The Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan, The Kresge Foundation, The Detroit Lions, and GMAC, just to name a few. Donations were also made by church groups, individuals, block clubs, small and large businesses, and schools. And now, one of the best high school bands in the United States will get a chance to show the world how good they are when they play at the Olympics in August.

Detroit Lions offensive lineman Edwin Mulitalo (3rd from left) gave the band’s fundraising efforts a big boost with a $10,000 donation from his “Big Ed’s Band Foundation” which supports the development of music programs for children. Also on hand to present the check were (left to right) To’alima, Mulitalo’s daughter; Sandra Tomlin, Vice President, Marketing & Public Relations, Michigan First; three MLK student band members; Victoria Miller, band director; and Detroit Lion Jonathan Scott. After the check presentation, Mulitalo played his ukulele while his daughter To’alima performed a special dance for the band.

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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 @ 12:17 pm

Forty-three local high school students have been awarded a $750, one-time scholarship from Michigan First Credit Union.  As part of Michigan First’s commitment to education and community involvement, the recipients represent several school districts within Michigan First’s field of membership. The graduating seniors are members of Michigan First Credit Union. “In 2002, we developed the scholarship program as part of our commitment to the educators, students and alumni that we serve through the many school districts in our field of membership,” commented Michael D. Poulos, President & CEO, Michigan First. “In the last three years, we have awarded over 75 scholarships that we hope gives a helping hand to deserving students.”  Winners were selected based on scholarship, involvement in extracurricular activities that demonstrate a special talent, leadership skills and social responsibility. Awarded scholarships are applied to the student’s first year of college.  Applicants had to be a member of Michigan First Credit Union, graduate high school by August 2005 and have a GPA of 2.8 or higher. Each recipient completed an application form, furnished official copies of his/her high school transcript, submitted an acceptance letter from an accredited college or university and provided two letters of recommendation from a school representative, clergy, community or civic person.”

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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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