Belco credit union marks 15 years of Bulldog Branch, pledges $500 to student minithon

Angie Barlo, financial education program manager for Belco Community Credit Union, told the Big Spring School District board on Sept. 2 that the credit union is celebrating 15 years of its Bulldog Branch at Big Spring High School and plans community outreach tied to that milestone. The presentation highlighted paid internships and co-ops, recurring financial-reality fairs, a teacher-supported My First Nest Egg app for families, and a Clicksmart program aimed at protecting teens from online scams.

Barlo said the branch will mark the anniversary with low-key school events and community activities, including a table at the Big Spring–Boiling Springs varsity football game on Sept. 26 and a planned $500 check presentation to the Four Diamonds Minithon. "We are celebrating 15 years of bulldog pride and financial empowerment," Barlo said, describing the branch as a community-service program rather than a profit center.

Board members asked whether other schools host similar in-school branches; presenters said Big Spring is currently the only in-school branch Belco operates but that other districts have visited the Bulldog Branch to see its reality-fair activities. Barlo described student account access (a $5 opening deposit is typical for youth accounts; younger students require parent information) and said a promo code tied to the branch can add funds to new youth accounts to encourage participation.

The presenters noted that students who participated in the branch's internship program have moved into staff and volunteer roles at Belco and beyond; Barlo cited former interns Jonathan Miller and Richard ("Richie") Monahan as examples. The presentation closed with an invitation for board members to visit the financial-reality fairs in action and with appreciation from the board for the long-running partnership.