Addition Financial Credit Union and Orange County Public Schools (OCPS) celebrated the grand opening of a new student-run Addition Financial branch at Apopka High School, marking the credit union’s 12th high school branch in Central Florida and the 7th within OCPS.
Addition Financial’s High School Branch Program provides students with hands-on financial education and money management skills. Selected Apopka High School students receive in-depth training from the credit union to prepare them to fully staff and operate the branch, located on campus.
“Apopka High School is excited about having an Addition Financial branch on our campus. This partnership brings opportunity to our students to learn to manage their own accounts while on campus,” said Lyle Heinz, principal at Apopka High School. “All students will have access as the branch is in a high traffic area for students to come in for their banking needs. It also provides select students an experience of getting on-the-job training in the daily operations of a credit union branch. I see this as a long-lasting partnership that will benefit our students and staff.”
The student-run branches are equipped to handle real banking transactions, giving students the chance to develop valuable professional skills in a real-world environment. Some student tellers also work at traditional Addition Financial branches on weekends and during the summer, with many going on to become full-time team members or earning exclusive scholarships upon graduation.
“Orange County educators founded our credit union more than 88 years ago, and our missions to lift our community remain closely aligned all these years later. Our high school branch program is one of the most impactful ways we can give back,” said Kevin Miller, President and CEO of Addition Financial Credit Union. “By bringing this opportunity to Apopka High School, we’re not only teaching financial skills, but we are also helping students gain the confidence and experience they need to succeed in any career path.”