Jackson’s first student-run credit union opened Tuesday.

The new Hope Credit Union student-run branch was unveiled with a ribbon cutting at Provine High School. The branch is part of the Jackson Public School District’s Business and Finance Academy, hosted in partnership with the credit union and Alignment Jackson, a non-profit focused on student achievement in the district.

Established in 2014, more than 80 students have participated in the financial literacy program. In a release from the district, interim superintendent Freddrick Murray said the partnership is “an excellent opportunity for our high school academy students to get first-hand knowledge and experience on the operations of a financial institution. The innovation of the student-run bank fits into our goals of producing college-ready, career-prepared graduates.”

The students’ work at the credit union is part of the curriculum for certain courses offered at the high school.

According to the release, faculty, staff and students over age 18 can open an account at the new branch during business hours. At Provine, those are 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. two days a week. HOPE will also provide financial literacy counseling. 

“The project provides students with hands-on experience with all facets of operating a financial institution, while building the financial capacity of Provine High students, staff and stakeholders,” HOPE CEO Bill Bynum said in the release.

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Kayleigh Skinner joined the Mississippi Today team in January 2017 as an education and legislative reporter and advanced to a senior staff member in her four years with the company. Before joining Mississippi Today, Kayleigh worked at The Hechinger Report, Chalkbeat Tennessee, and The Commercial Appeal. She has appeared on MSNBC, NPR, and BBC Newsday Radio to discuss her reporting.